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NTSB Report
June 3, 1988 · Short Brothers SD3-60 · N383MQ
Madison, WI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
June 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (21 uninjured)
Location
Madison, WI
Aircraft
Short Brothers SD3-60
Tail Number
N383MQ
Operator
Simmons Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI88IA129
WHILE ON A STABILIZED FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT ROLL WHEN THE FLAP SETTING WAS INCREASED FROM FIVE TO FIFTEEN DEGREES. THE CONDITION WAS ALLEVIATED WHEN THE FLAPS WERE RESET TO FIVE DEGREES. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT OUTBOARD FLAP POSITION SIGNALLING CABLE HAD FAILED. INSPECTION OF THE OPERATOR'S FLEET FOUND TWO ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT WITH CHAFFED/FRAYED FLAP POSITION SIGNALLING CABLES. ALL CHAFFED/FRAYED CABLES WERE INSTALLED ON AIRCRAFT WHICH THE OPERATOR HAD PURCHASED AS A SERIES. ON THIS SERIES OF AIRCRAFT THE FLAPS AND CONTROL RIGGING WERE INSTALLED BY THE VENDOR WHICH MANUFACTURES THE WINGS, RATHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIRFRAME, AS IS NORMALLY THE CASE.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE RIGHT OUTBOARD FLAP POSITION SIGNALLING CABLE DUE TO CHAFFING INITIATED BY IMPROPER INSTALLATION/RIGGING BY A MANUFACTURER'S VENDOR.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A STABILIZED FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT ROLL WHEN THE FLAP SETTING WAS INCREASED FROM FIVE TO FIFTEEN DEGREES. THE CONDITION WAS ALLEVIATED WHEN THE FLAPS WERE RESET TO FIVE DEGREES. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT OUTBOARD FLAP POSITION SIGNALLING CABLE HAD FAILED. INSPECTION OF THE OPERATOR'S FLEET FOUND TWO ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT WITH CHAFFED/FRAYED FLAP POSITION SIGNALLING CABLES. ALL CHAFFED/FRAYED CABLES WERE INSTALLED ON AIRCRAFT WHICH THE OPERATOR HAD PURCHASED AS A SERIES. ON THIS SERIES OF AIRCRAFT THE FLAPS AND CONTROL RIGGING WERE INSTALLED BY THE VENDOR WHICH MANUFACTURES THE WINGS, RATHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIRFRAME, AS IS NORMALLY THE CASE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time18:25 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway36
Runway Length9000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftShort Brothers SD3-60
Tail NumberN383MQ
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSimmons Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-65AR · Turboprop · 1424
Seats39
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (21 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured21
Total21
Crew 1First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC