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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 9, 1997 · Short Brothers SD3-60 · N263GA

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 9, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (31 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Short Brothers SD3-60
Tail Number
N263GA
Operator
Gulfstream Int L Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
MIA97IA160

During the initial climb after takeoff, an elevator trim cable failure occurred at a pulley at fuselage station 275. The flight remained airborne to burn fuel, then landed uneventfully. Metallurgical examination of the failed cable revealed that 42 of the 49 individual wires failed due to fatigue. The elevator trim cable segments were only required to be visually inspected every 4,800 hours or 48 months. The trim cable segments were last inspected 22 months earlier and had accumulated 2,456.9 hours and 2,290 cycles since inspection. The failed cable had accumulated a total time of 10,562.3 hours and 14,525 cycles at the time of the failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

fatigue failure of a segment of the elevator trim cable system. A factor relating to the incident was: inadequate procedure for inspection of the cable system by the airplane manufacturer.

Full Narrative

On May 9, 1997, about 1306 eastern daylight time, a Shorts Brothers SD3-60, N263GA, registered to the State Street Bank and Trust Company, operated by Gulfstream International Airlines, Inc., as flight 7427, experienced failure of an elevator trim cable shortly after takeoff from the Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled, domestic, passenger flight. The airplane was not damaged and the captain, first officer, 1 flight attendant, and 28 passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1 minute earlier from the Miami Airport. The first officer was flying the airplane and after takeoff about 300 feet, the elevator trim failed. The controller was advised of the situation and the flight remained airborne about 51 minutes to burn fuel. An uneventful landing occurred and the airplane was taxied to the gate where the passengers were deplaned. Examination of the airplane revealed a failed elevator trim cable at a 1.250 inch pulley located at fuselage station 275. The failed cable is for nose-up trim. Metallurgical examination of the cable revealed fatigue failure of 42 of the 49 individual wire strands. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the cable is required to be only visually inspected every 48 months or 4,800 hours. The cable was last inspected 22 months earlier and had accumulated 2,456.9 hours and 2,290 cycles since inspection. The cable had accumulated a total time of 10,562.3 hours and 14,525 cycles at the time of failure. The airplane minus the retained failed cable was released to Mr. Wayne Modny, Director of Quality Control, Gulfstream International Airlines, on June 10, 1997. The retained cable was also released to Mr. Wayne Modny on July 14, 1997.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:06 EDT
Nearest AirportMiami International (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftShort Brothers SD3-60
Tail NumberN263GA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorGulfstream Int L Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-67R · Turboprop · 1220
Seats39

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (31 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured31
Total31
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:04
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data