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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

February 24, 1998 · Beech BE99 · N20FW

Oakland, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
February 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oakland, CA
Aircraft
Beech BE99
Tail Number
N20FW
Operator
Ameriflight
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
LAX98IA097

The aircraft encountered elevator control problems while en route and landed safely at his destination. During a post-landing inspection, ice formation was found in the tail section of the aircraft in an area surrounding the elevator control cables. The water drain hole and limbers that evacuate this area were found clogged with fuzz-like fibers.

NTSB Probable Cause

Water accumulation in the tail section of the aircraft that froze around the elevator control cables which restricted the movement of the elevator. Contributing factors were the accumulation of debris in the limbers and drain hole for the affected area. A finding was the fact that this area cannot be easily inspected by the pilot due to the need for hand tools to gain visual access.

Full Narrative

On February 24, 1998, at 1141 hours Pacific standard time, the airline transport pilot of a Beech BE99, N20FW, encountered elevator control problems and landed safely at his destination. There was no aircraft damage or injury to the pilot, the sole occupant. The flight departed from Burbank, California, on a 14 CFR Part 135 air cargo flight to Oakland, California, and was being operated by Ameriflight, Incorporated, on an instrument flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the landing site. During a postflight inspection, ice was observed in the tail section of the fuselage in an area that surrounded the elevator control cables. The "limbers" and water drain hole that evacuate this area were found clogged with small "fuzz-like" fibers. (See the sketch in Section 10.00 attached to this report.)

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time11:41 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech BE99
Tail NumberN20FW
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmeriflight
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsU/A Canada · PT6 SER 578HP · Turboprop · 550
Seats17

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data