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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

January 16, 1991 · Beech 35 · N3081V

Walla Walla, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Walla Walla, WA
Aircraft
Beech 35
Tail Number
N3081V
Operator
Libby Stephen R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA91FA261

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG DSCNT, AT ABOUT 150 KTS, TURBULENCE WAS ENCTRD & THE RUDDER PEDALS BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY ALONG WITH THE WHOLE ACFT, MAINLY THE EMPENNAGE. PULLING BACK ON THE CONTROL COLUMN & PUSHING ON THE RUDDER PEDALS CAUSED THE SHAKING TO SUBSIDE. A LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THE AFT FUSELAGE SKIN WAS WRINKLED, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO BE FLOWN FOR SVRL MONTHS. A SUBSEQUENT INSPN DISCLOSED THAT ALL 4 CORNERS OF THE AFT FUSELAGE BULKHEAD WERE CRACKED. THE STATIC BALANCE OF EACH RUDDERVATOR WAS MEASURED & FOUND TO BE EXCESSIVELY TAIL HEAVY. ALSO, BOTH RUDDERVATOR TRIM TABS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, RESULTING IN FREE PLAY AT THE HINGE LINE. NO LEAD BALANCING WASHERS WERE FOUND IN EITHER RUDDERVATOR COUNTERWEIGHT HOUSING. THE THICKNESS OF PAINT ON THE RUDDERVATORS EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURER'S FACTORY ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER STATIC BALANCE OF THE RUDDERVATORS FOLLOWING REBUILDING/REPAINTING, WHICH RESULTED IN EMPENNAGE FLUTTER. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE TRIM TABS AND AN ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG DSCNT, AT ABOUT 150 KTS, TURBULENCE WAS ENCTRD & THE RUDDER PEDALS BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY ALONG WITH THE WHOLE ACFT, MAINLY THE EMPENNAGE. PULLING BACK ON THE CONTROL COLUMN & PUSHING ON THE RUDDER PEDALS CAUSED THE SHAKING TO SUBSIDE. A LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THE AFT FUSELAGE SKIN WAS WRINKLED, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO BE FLOWN FOR SVRL MONTHS. A SUBSEQUENT INSPN DISCLOSED THAT ALL 4 CORNERS OF THE AFT FUSELAGE BULKHEAD WERE CRACKED. THE STATIC BALANCE OF EACH RUDDERVATOR WAS MEASURED & FOUND TO BE EXCESSIVELY TAIL HEAVY. ALSO, BOTH RUDDERVATOR TRIM TABS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, RESULTING IN FREE PLAY AT THE HINGE LINE. NO LEAD BALANCING WASHERS WERE FOUND IN EITHER RUDDERVATOR COUNTERWEIGHT HOUSING. THE THICKNESS OF PAINT ON THE RUDDERVATORS EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURER'S FACTORY ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 35
Tail NumberN3081V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLibby Stephen R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-1 · Reciprocating · 185
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data