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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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December 11, 1986 · Fairchild SA226TC · N323BA

Paducah, KY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 11, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Paducah, KY
Aircraft
Fairchild SA226TC
Tail Number
N323BA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI87IA047

JUST AFTER THE BEGINNING OF A DESCENT FOR LANDING A RUDDER CABLE FAILED COMPLETELY, RENDERING THE RUDDER INOPERATIVE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT THE CABLE WORE SEVERELY UNTIL IT FAILED. FOLLOWING AN EXAMINATION OF TWO OPERATOR'S SA-226 FLEETS MANY OTHER WORN CONTROL CABLES WERE FOUND. LATER, THE FAA: 1. PUBLISHED A CABLE INSPECTION AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 2. RECOMMENDED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLARIFY ITS PUBLISHED CABLE INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND 3. RECOMMENDED THAT AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS REVIEW THEIR CABLE INSPECTION TEACHING THOROUGHNESS.

Full Narrative

JUST AFTER THE BEGINNING OF A DESCENT FOR LANDING A RUDDER CABLE FAILED COMPLETELY, RENDERING THE RUDDER INOPERATIVE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT THE CABLE WORE SEVERELY UNTIL IT FAILED. FOLLOWING AN EXAMINATION OF TWO OPERATOR'S SA-226 FLEETS MANY OTHER WORN CONTROL CABLES WERE FOUND. LATER, THE FAA: 1. PUBLISHED A CABLE INSPECTION AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 2. RECOMMENDED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLARIFY ITS PUBLISHED CABLE INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND 3. RECOMMENDED THAT AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS REVIEW THEIR CABLE INSPECTION TEACHING THOROUGHNESS.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time14:35 CST
Nearest AirportBarkley Regional (15nm W)
Runway4
Runway Length6499 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild SA226TC
Tail NumberN323BA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · 331-3UW-303G · Turboprop · 940
Seats22

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data