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NTSB Report

November 4, 2004 · Cessna 172 · N8803B

Wolfeboro, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 4, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wolfeboro, NH
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N8803B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD05LA010

After entering the traffic pattern, the flight instructor was requested by the private pilot to make the first landing. As the airplane passed over the approach end of the runway, the flight instructor attempted to flare for landing three times, but without success. On the third attempt the airplane struck the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the propeller contacted the runway. A post accident examination revealed that the accident airplane's control tee pulleys for the aileron control system would get "hung up" on the radio tray assembly, which inhibited the elevator travel. Numerous components in the airplane's flight control system exhibited wear, and could be moved laterally out of their normal range of travel. The radio mounting assembly also did not include the installation of a vertical support to help assure proper clearance with portions of the airplane's flight control system. No maintenance activity concerning the affected components was noted. The last annual inspection was performed 13 days prior to the accident. During an interview with a mechanic that conducted the annual inspection, he observed wear on one of the components, but believed that it would not be a problem. The maintenance facility's work order form for the airplane also noted that wear was observed on an "aft bulkhead elevator pulley," but no clearing action was recorded for the pulley or the other component. According to the Cessna 100 series service manual, an inspection of the "elevator system for correct rigging and proper travel" was required during an annual inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

A jammed control wheel during landing. A contributing factor to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection of the airplane's flight control system.

Full Narrative

On November 4, 2004, about 1445 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N8803B, was substantially damaged during landing at the Lakes Region Airport (8B8), Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The certificated flight instructor and certificated private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight instructor, after entering the traffic pattern for runway 12, the flight instructor was requested by the private pilot to make the first landing. The instructor took over the controls about 1,500 feet and configured the airplane for landing. As the airplane passed over the approach end of the runway, the flight instructor attempted to flare for landing three times, but without success. On the third attempt the airplane struck the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the propeller contacted the runway. A post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane's control tee pulleys for the aileron control system would get "hung up" on the radio tray assembly, when the control wheel tube would reach half travel. The control tee pivot and the left instrument panel control tube ball socket exhibited wear, and the control column tee could be moved laterally along a portion of the control tee pivot bolt. Additionally, the radio-mounting tray did not include the installation of a vertical support to help assure proper clearance between the radio mounting tray, and the control tee assembly. A review of the airplane's maintenance history disclosed no maintenance activity concerning the elevator control tee assembly, the left instrument panel control tube ball socket or the radio-mounting tray. During an interview with a mechanic that conducted an annual inspection 13 days prior to the accident, the mechanic observed wear on the instrument panel control tube ball socket, but he believed that the control tube would "scrape by" the instrument panel without any problem. The maintenance facility's discrepancy sheet and work order form for the airplane, also noted that wear was observed on an "aft bulkhead elevator pulley." However, no clearing action was recorded for the pulley nor was the worn control tube ball socket listed on the discrepancy sheet and work order form. Documentation provided by the avionics repair station showed that the transponder had been tested using portable equipment and inspected on October 20, 2004, and did not require any removal or modifications to the mounting trays, under panel components or radios. The operator owned the airplane for approximately 5 years. The airplane had been maintained by another maintenance provider prior to the last annual inspection and with the exception of a recent oil change; the most recent inspection was the first time the airplane had been maintained at that facility. According to the Cessna 100 series service manual, an inspection of the "elevator system for correct rigging and proper travel" was required during an annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EST
Nearest AirportLakes Region Airport (0nm)
Runway12
Runway Length2540 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN8803B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 56 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 25 C
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time18:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data