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NTSB Report

October 20, 1997 · Cessna 208B · N9304F

Kasigluk, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 20, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kasigluk, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 208B
Tail Number
N9304F
Operator
Peninsula Airways
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
ANC98IA004

The pilot was entering a left downwind for landing at a remote airport. The wind conditions were 25 knots with gusts to 35 knots. During the turn, the pilot utilized full aileron deflection, and noticed the aileron momentarily jammed. He was able to force the control wheel to the right, unjamming the aileron. After landing, the pilot began to taxi to the ramp. Due to a strong crosswind, the pilot deflected the ailerons fully to the left. The aileron once again jammed, and the pilot was unable to force the control wheel to the right. The airplane's ailerons utilize balance weights that are attached to the interior surface of the leading edge of the aileron. Five screws are inserted through the leading edge skin of the aileron, through the balance weight, and into self-locking nuts attached to a nut strip assembly. Company maintenance personnel reported 1 screw was missing. Three of the remaining 4 screws were loose, and backed out sufficient distance to contact the trailing edge of the wing, forward of the aileron. The left aileron was jammed in a full, leading edge down, position. The Cessna 208B pilot information manual details a preflight inspection that includes an examination of the ailerons as part of a walk-around inspection of the airplane. In addition, the balance weights should be inspected during every 100-hour inspection. A review of the manufacturer's service condition report data base, and the Federal Aviation Administration malfunction and defect report system did not reveal any other reported incidents of aileron jamming.

NTSB Probable Cause

inadequate inspection of the aileron by company maintenance personnel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aileron, which led to the jamming of the left aileron due to loose balance weight retaining screws.

Full Narrative

On October 20, 1997, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N9304F, had a left aileron jam during the landing approach to the Kasigluk Airport, Kasigluk, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) nonscheduled cargo flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the incident occurred. The airplane, operated by Peninsula Airways Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, was not damaged. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska, at 0930. The pilot reported he was maneuvering to land on runway 35 at the Kasigluk Airport, and began a left turn to enter the downwind portion of the landing approach. During the turn, the pilot utilized full aileron deflection, and noticed the aileron momentarily jammed. He was able to force the control wheel to the right, unjamming the aileron. The pilot continued the landing approach, and landed without encountering further control problems. The pilot indicated that following the landing, he began to taxi to the ramp. Due to a strong crosswind, the pilot deflected the ailerons fully to the left. The aileron once again jammed, and the pilot was unable to force the control wheel to the right. The operator reported the incident flight was the first flight of the day for the airplane. The airplane ailerons utilize balance weights that are attached to the interior surface of the leading edge of the aileron at the inboard, and outboard ends of the aileron. Five screws are inserted through the leading edge skin of the aileron, through the balance weight, and into self-locking nuts attached to a nut strip assembly. Company maintenance personnel conducted an inspection of the aileron, and reported 1 screw was missing. Three of the remaining 4 screws were loose, and backed out sufficient distance to contact the trailing edge of the wing, forward of the aileron. The left aileron was jammed in a full, leading edge down, position. The operator's maintenance personnel replaced the screws, and did not report any obvious failure or damage to the attaching screws. The operator found slightly loose balance weight screws in other Cessna 208B airplanes. In each case, the self-locking nutplates still had proper grip. The operator indicated their maintenance department personnel have since applied loctite to each screw. The Cessna 208B information manual provides a description of a preflight inspection that includes an examination of the ailerons as part of a walk-around inspection of the airplane. In addition, the balance weights should be inspected during every 100 hour inspection. A review of the manufacturer's service condition report data base, and the Federal Aviation Administration malfunction and defect report system did not reveal any other reported incidents of aileron jamming.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time10:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportKASIGLUK (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length1950 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN9304F
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorPeninsula Airways
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-114 · Turboprop · 600
Seats9

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 25 kt, gusting 35 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data