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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 9, 1999 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32 · N205ME

Dubuque, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 9, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (91 uninjured)
Location
Dubuque, IA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32
Tail Number
N205ME
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI99IA136

The airplane departed in rain with a surface temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon reaching cruise altitude, the flight crew discovered that the elevator control '...was found to be frozen and would not move.' The pilot said that the aircraft was flown using primary and alternate trim until a descent was made to 'warmer air', and the '... elevator thawed out...' and normal control was regained. An inspection of the aircraft after the incident failed to reveal any anomalies with respect or the aircraft or aircraft systems. On two other occasions, Midwest Express Airlines (MWEA) DC9 aircraft have experienced elevator control difficulties. On these occurrences, the aircraft departed in rain with temperatures of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and 39 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. On one of the occurrences, MWEA maintenance personnel found ice accretions in the elevator control bay of the vertical stabilizer.

NTSB Probable Cause

the frozen elevator control. Factors to the incident were the rain and the low temperature.

Full Narrative

On April 9, 1999, approximately 0930 central daylight time, a McDonnel Douglas DC9-32, N205ME, operated by Midwest Express Airlines, Inc. (MWEA), experienced a loss of elevator control while in cruise flight near Dubuque, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 121 flight departed General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 0920, enroute to Eppley Airfield, Omaha, Nebraska. The flight crew piloted the aircraft using the elevator trim system until regaining elevator control after descent. The airplane landed at Eppley Airfield without further incident. There were no reported injuries to the 6 crew members or to the 85 passengers. The pilot stated that the aircraft departed General Mitchell International Airport in "moderate wind driven rain." The pilot said that when the aircraft was leveled off, after climb, the elevator control "...was found to be frozen and would not move." The pilot further stated that when a descent was made to "warmer air", the "... elevator thawed out..." and normal control was regained. A weather report for General Mitchell International Airport, MKE, at 0856, showed a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit, rain, mist, and winds from 030 degrees magnetic at 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. An inspection of the aircraft after the incident failed to reveal any anomalies with respect or the aircraft or aircraft systems. On two other occasions, MWEA DC9 aircraft experienced elevator control difficulties. On these occurrences, the aircraft departed in rain with temperatures of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and 39 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. On one of the occurrences, MWEA maintenance personnel found ice accretions in the elevator control bay of the vertical stabilizer (Reference: CHI99IA115).

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32
Tail NumberN205ME
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9A · Turbofan · 14500
Seats91

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (91 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured91
Total91
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 17 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data