Casualties unknown

Pilot Recovers After Takeoff Upset and Emergency Landing; Missing Bolt Found in Stabilator (N997BW)

Columbia, SC, US

On December 8, 2005, a Piper PA-34-200 (registration N997BW) operated by Package Express was involved in an aviation accident near Columbia, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Maintenance personnel's improper installation of the stabilator trim arm which resulted in separation of a bolt, loss of control during takeoff, and a subsequent hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff, the airplane pitched up violently. The pilot lost control, climbed to 200 feet, regained control, and made an emergency landing. The airplane collided with the runway and veered off. Investigation revealed a missing bolt in the stabilator trim arm.

Incident Description

During the takeoff roll, the pilot rotated the airplane. The aircraft then pitched up abruptly, leading to a loss of control. It climbed to approximately 200 feet before the pilot managed to regain control. An emergency landing was executed, during which the airplane struck the runway and departed the right side of the departure end.

Examination Findings

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the airplane. The inspection revealed that the nose gear strut had punctured through the forward bulkhead and the cockpit instrument panel. Additionally, examination of the stabilator trim system found that one of the two bolts required on the stabilator trim arm was missing.

Maintenance Records

A review of the aircraft logbooks showed that the last inspection performed on the airplane was a 100-hour inspection completed on November 29, 2005. In addition to that inspection, a repair had been carried out on the stabilator. According to maintenance records, the aircraft had accumulated 13 flight hours since the stabilator repair and before the accident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051214X01970. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.