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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

March 29, 1984 · Beech C90 · N66KA

Herndon, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 29, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Herndon, VA
Aircraft
Beech C90
Tail Number
N66KA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL84IA134

THE ACFT ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED DIVE AT ABOUT 11,000 FT MSL, WITH RECOVERY MADE BELOW 2,000 FT MSL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DURING THE DESCENT, IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE OTHER AIR TRAFFIC, THE PLT EXCEEDED VNE SPEEDS. SHORTLY, THEREAFTER THE ELEVATOR TRIM SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED & JAMMED THE TRIM IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN TRIM POSITION. WHEN A BRIEF FLARE-UP OF SMOKE & SPARKS ERUPTED UNDER THE RT INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE LT SIDE OF THE CONTROL COLUMN THE PLT DELAYED AN EMERGENCY BUT DID NOT RELAY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CONTROL PROBLEM. POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION FOUND THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB CABLE BROKEN AT THE TRIM SERVO, LOCATED UNDER THE AFT CABIN FLOOR JUST FORWARD OF THE CABIN ENTRANCE DOOR. FRAYED IN AN IRREGULAR MANNER OVER A NINE INCH AREA, THE LOOSE CABLES BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER DIODES LOCATED BENEATH THE CONTROL PEDESTAL. INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRICTION CLUTCH OPERATED AT TOO HIGH TORQUE & THE CABLES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING HEAT TO OTHER COMPONENTS.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED DIVE AT ABOUT 11,000 FT MSL, WITH RECOVERY MADE BELOW 2,000 FT MSL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DURING THE DESCENT, IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE OTHER AIR TRAFFIC, THE PLT EXCEEDED VNE SPEEDS. SHORTLY, THEREAFTER THE ELEVATOR TRIM SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED & JAMMED THE TRIM IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN TRIM POSITION. WHEN A BRIEF FLARE-UP OF SMOKE & SPARKS ERUPTED UNDER THE RT INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE LT SIDE OF THE CONTROL COLUMN THE PLT DELAYED AN EMERGENCY BUT DID NOT RELAY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CONTROL PROBLEM. POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION FOUND THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB CABLE BROKEN AT THE TRIM SERVO, LOCATED UNDER THE AFT CABIN FLOOR JUST FORWARD OF THE CABIN ENTRANCE DOOR. FRAYED IN AN IRREGULAR MANNER OVER A NINE INCH AREA, THE LOOSE CABLES BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER DIODES LOCATED BENEATH THE CONTROL PEDESTAL. INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRICTION CLUTCH OPERATED AT TOO HIGH TORQUE & THE CABLES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING HEAT TO OTHER COMPONENTS.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time20:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech C90
Tail NumberN66KA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-20 · Turboprop · 550
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind50° @ 13 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 41 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data