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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

October 10, 1992 · Cessna 195 · N4308V

Shenandoah, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Shenandoah, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 195
Tail Number
N4308V
Operator
Herbert a Schaffner
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC93FA013

RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRPLANE IN A CLIMB TO 7800 FT, LEVEL AT 7700 FT FOR APPROX 1 MINUTE, AND THEN ENTER A DESCENT. THE RADAR DATA WAS PUT INTO A COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST VERTICAL SPEED RECORDED WAS 19,000 FPM, WITH A TAS OF 279.9 KTS (321.9 MPH). EVIDENCE OF FLUTTER WAS FOUND ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS, AND THE WINGS HAD FAILED SYMMETRICALLY IN NEGATIVE LOADING. THE PILOT HAD BEEN TAKING VASOTEC FOR HYPERTENSION. DATA SUPPLIED FROM FLIGHT TESTING FOUND THAT IF THE AIRPLANE WAS TRIMMED FOR A CLIMB AT 112 MPH, AND THE POWER WAS NOT CHANGED, A 13 POUND FORWARD FORCE ON THE CONTROL WHEEL WOULD CAUSE THE AIRPLANE TO ACCELERATE TO 196 MPH. THE NEVER EXCEED SPEED FOR THE AIRPLANE IS 200 MPH.

NTSB Probable Cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO PILOT INCAPACITATION.

Full Narrative

RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRPLANE IN A CLIMB TO 7800 FT, LEVEL AT 7700 FT FOR APPROX 1 MINUTE, AND THEN ENTER A DESCENT. THE RADAR DATA WAS PUT INTO A COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST VERTICAL SPEED RECORDED WAS 19,000 FPM, WITH A TAS OF 279.9 KTS (321.9 MPH). EVIDENCE OF FLUTTER WAS FOUND ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS, AND THE WINGS HAD FAILED SYMMETRICALLY IN NEGATIVE LOADING. THE PILOT HAD BEEN TAKING VASOTEC FOR HYPERTENSION. DATA SUPPLIED FROM FLIGHT TESTING FOUND THAT IF THE AIRPLANE WAS TRIMMED FOR A CLIMB AT 112 MPH, AND THE POWER WAS NOT CHANGED, A 13 POUND FORWARD FORCE ON THE CONTROL WHEEL WOULD CAUSE THE AIRPLANE TO ACCELERATE TO 196 MPH. THE NEVER EXCEED SPEED FOR THE AIRPLANE IS 200 MPH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:33 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 195
Tail NumberN4308V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHerbert a Schaffner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · R755B-2 · Reciprocating · 275
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data