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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 29, 1994 · Beech 35 · N3956N

Mckinney, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Mckinney, TX
Aircraft
Beech 35
Tail Number
N3956N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA189

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL, THE AILERONS BECAME LOCKED AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE, CONFIGURED WITH THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS RETRACTED, ENTERED A LEFT SPIRAL, COMPLETING TWO 360 DEGREE TURNS PRIOR TO IMPACTING IN A WHEAT FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A BRASS ALLOY FOREIGN OBJECT ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTROL WHEEL THROUGH AN OPEN INSPECTION WINDOW IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE SINGLE THROWOVER TYPE CONTROL YOKE. THE FOREIGN OBJECT, WHICH WAS NOT RECOVERED, BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE SPROCKET AND THE CHAIN, LOCKING THE AILERONS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE AILERONS BEING LOCKED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT.

Full Narrative

On May 28, 1994, at 1905 central daylight time, a Beech 35, N3956N, was substantially damaged during descent near McKinney, Texas. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot stated that the airplane was at approximately 300 feet AGL on final approach at the Aero-Country Airport, when the ailerons became locked. The pilot was not able to return the airplane to the level flight attitude. The pilot reported that the airplane entered a left 60 degree spiral, completing two 360 degree turns, until he was able to drag the left wing into a wheat field approximately a quarter of a mile west of the airport. At the time of ground impact, the airplane was configured with the landing gear and flaps retracted. The 1948 vintage airplane was equipped with a single throwover type control yoke, being operated from the left side. Examination of the control wheel, control wheel cast, chain and sprockets, revealed that a brass alloy foreign object, which was not recovered, became trapped between the sprocket and the chain, blocking the ailerons. The control wheel arm assembly has an open inspection window on its back side.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:05 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 35
Tail NumberN3956N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-8 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 14 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data