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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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August 25, 1992 · Fairchild SA 227-AC · N342AE

Hot Springs, AR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Hot Springs, AR
Aircraft
Fairchild SA 227-AC
Tail Number
N342AE
Operator
Lone Star Airlines
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW92FA218

THE MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT WAS BEING FLOWN FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 87-02-02 REQUIRING THE MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF ALL PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES. FOLLOWING LIFT-OFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE START A RAPID ROLL TO THE RIGHT UNTIL INITIAL IMPACT WAS MADE WITH THE GROUND BY THE RIGHT WING TIP. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE A HALF TURN IN THE ROUTING OF THE REPLACED FLIGHT CONTROL CABLE WAS INADVERTENTLY OMITTED ON BOTH CONTROL COLUMNS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE AILERONS OPERATING IN REVERSE OF THE COMMANDED INPUT. THE PASSENGER WAS THE QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR WHO HAD INSPECTED AND SIGNED OFF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPANY PERSONNEL, HE HAD BRIEFED THE CREW PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT ON THE PURPOSE OF THE TEST FLIGHT AND THE EXTENT OF THE MAINTENANCE THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION BY THE OPERATOR'S MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE PROPER TRAVEL DIRECTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROLS AFTER BEING MADE AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED.

Full Narrative

THE MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT WAS BEING FLOWN FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 87-02-02 REQUIRING THE MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF ALL PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES. FOLLOWING LIFT-OFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE START A RAPID ROLL TO THE RIGHT UNTIL INITIAL IMPACT WAS MADE WITH THE GROUND BY THE RIGHT WING TIP. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE A HALF TURN IN THE ROUTING OF THE REPLACED FLIGHT CONTROL CABLE WAS INADVERTENTLY OMITTED ON BOTH CONTROL COLUMNS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE AILERONS OPERATING IN REVERSE OF THE COMMANDED INPUT. THE PASSENGER WAS THE QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR WHO HAD INSPECTED AND SIGNED OFF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPANY PERSONNEL, HE HAD BRIEFED THE CREW PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT ON THE PURPOSE OF THE TEST FLIGHT AND THE EXTENT OF THE MAINTENANCE THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:15 CDT
Nearest AirportHot Springs Memorial (1nm SSE)
Runway13
Runway Length4099 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild SA 227-AC
Tail NumberN342AE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLone Star Airlines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331-611 · Turboprop · 1100
Seats21

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data