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NTSB Report

October 28, 1986 · Grumman G-73 · N604SS

St. Croix

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

October 28, 1986

Injury Outcomes

15 injuries (1 fatality, 5 serious injuries, 9 minor injuries)

Location

St. Croix

Aircraft

Grumman G-73

Tail Number

N604SS

Injuries

Fatal

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

MIA87FA013

THE PLTS LOST AILERON CONTROL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. THE LEFT TURNING TENDENCIES OF THE ACFT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED AND THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN THE CARRIBEAN SEA. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS TRAPPED WITHIN A BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CABLES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN AN ELECTRICAL CABLE FROM A REVERSE CURRENT RELAY IN THE RIGHT WING TO THE MAIN JUNCTION BOX IN THE LEFT CABIN AREA AT THE CENTER WING WAS CHANGED AND SECURED. THE AILERON CABLE CHAFED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF THE LARGE ELECTRICAL CABLE. WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE METAL ELECTRICAL CABLE THE AILERON CABLE ARCHED AT SEVERAL POINTS AND SEPARATED AT TWO DIFFERENT POINTS CAUSING A LOSS OF AILERON CONTROL.

Full Narrative

THE PLTS LOST AILERON CONTROL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. THE LEFT TURNING TENDENCIES OF THE ACFT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED AND THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN THE CARRIBEAN SEA. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS TRAPPED WITHIN A BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CABLES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN AN ELECTRICAL CABLE FROM A REVERSE CURRENT RELAY IN THE RIGHT WING TO THE MAIN JUNCTION BOX IN THE LEFT CABIN AREA AT THE CENTER WING WAS CHANGED AND SECURED. THE AILERON CABLE CHAFED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF THE LARGE ELECTRICAL CABLE. WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE METAL ELECTRICAL CABLE THE AILERON CABLE ARCHED AT SEVERAL POINTS AND SEPARATED AT TWO DIFFERENT POINTS CAUSING A LOSS OF AILERON CONTROL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time13:15 UTC

Nearest Airport0nm

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledCvfr

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-73

Tail NumberN604SS

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageSubstantial

Operating RulePart 135

Engines2

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsP&W · R1340-S1H1 · Reciprocating · 600

Seats17

People & Injuries

Injury Summary15 injuries (1 fatality, 5 serious injuries, 9 minor injuries)

Fatal1

Serious5

Minor9

Uninjured0

Total15

Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind80° @ 10 kt

Visibility15 sm

CeilingNone

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time13:47

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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October 28, 1986 · Grumman G-73 · N604SS

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