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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 8, 1993 · Cessna 172 · N3914F

Towanda, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Towanda, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N3914F
Operator
Glenn E Murphy
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO93LA074

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE FAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT AFT DOOR POST IN THE LOCATION OF A PULLEY. THE PILOT STATED IT TOOK FULL RIGHT AILERON TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE FROM ROLLING. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. DURING THE BASE LEG, THE PILOT APPLIED FULL FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ROLL LEFT AND THE AILERONS DID NOT RESPOND TO CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING DOWN AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED CABLE REVEALED THAT IT WAS CORRODED IN THE AREA OF THE FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED A 100 HOUR ANNUAL INSPECTION ON OCTOBER 3, 1992. SINCE THE INSPECTION, THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE AIRPLANE WAS TIED DOWN OUTSIDE FOR MOST OF THE TIME SINCE PURCHASED IN THE YEAR 1958. THE FAILED AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS AN ORIGINAL CABLE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AILERON CONTROL CABLE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE FAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT AFT DOOR POST IN THE LOCATION OF A PULLEY. THE PILOT STATED IT TOOK FULL RIGHT AILERON TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE FROM ROLLING. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. DURING THE BASE LEG, THE PILOT APPLIED FULL FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ROLL LEFT AND THE AILERONS DID NOT RESPOND TO CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING DOWN AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED CABLE REVEALED THAT IT WAS CORRODED IN THE AREA OF THE FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED A 100 HOUR ANNUAL INSPECTION ON OCTOBER 3, 1992. SINCE THE INSPECTION, THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE AIRPLANE WAS TIED DOWN OUTSIDE FOR MOST OF THE TIME SINCE PURCHASED IN THE YEAR 1958. THE FAILED AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS AN ORIGINAL CABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 EDT
Nearest AirportTOWANDA (1nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN3914F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGlenn E Murphy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data