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April 11, 2011 · Beech 90B · N37OU

Chickasha, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 11, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Chickasha, OK
Aircraft
Beech 90B
Tail Number
N37OU
Operator
University of Oklahoma Dept of Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CEN11IA280

The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the airplane was on a downwind leg for landing when a pilot-rated passenger who was sitting in the cabin told him that the right aileron was partially separated from the airplane. The CFI took control of the airplane and landed it uneventfully. The post incident inspection of the airplane revealed that the two inboard aileron hinges were separated from the airframe. The screws (8 screws, 4 upper, 4 lower) which attached the aileron to the aileron hinge points were seated in the aileron skin, but did not screw into the corresponding nut plates on the aileron hinge points. The aileron was not damaged so a mechanic attached the aileron properly to the aileron hinge points and the airplane was returned to service. Maintenance records indicated that the airplane had undergone a phase inspection 10 days prior to the incident. During the phase inspection, the right aileron was removed to repair some light surface corrosion and was reinstalled on the airplane. The incident occurred 5.3 hours after the phase inspection was performed. Eight years prior to the accident, the aircraft manufacturer issued a communique which stated that their technical support department had received reports that during aileron installation, screws missed the nut plates on the aileron hinge points. It stated that this condition can go unnoticed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Wing structure-Attach fittings (on wing)-Incorrect service/maintenance - C

Full Narrative

On April 11, 2011, at 1015 central daylight time, a Beech 90B, N37OU, sustained minor damage when two of the three right aileron hinges became disconnected while the airplane was in the traffic pattern at the Chickasha Municipal Airport (CHK), Chickasha, Oklahoma. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) took control of the airplane, made a left turn from the downwind leg, and made an uneventful landing on runway 35 (5,101 feet by 100 feet, concrete) at CHK. The CFI, the commercial student pilot, and two pilot-rated passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the University of Oklahoma as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The flight departed a 0915 on a local instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. Maintenance records indicated that the airplane had undergone a phase inspection on April 1, 2011. During the phase inspection, the right aileron was removed to repair some light surface corrosion and was reinstalled on the airplane. The incident occurred 5.3 hours after the maintenance was performed. The post incident inspection of the airplane by the operator's mechanic revealed that the two inboard aileron hinges were separated from the airframe. The mechanic determined that the screws (8 screws, 4 upper, 4 lower) which attached the aileron to the aileron hinge points were seated in the aileron skin, but did not screw into the corresponding nut plates on the aileron hinge points. The aileron was not damaged so the mechanic attached the aileron properly to the aileron hinge points and the airplane was returned to service. The Beech King Air 90 Series Maintenance Manual, Chapter 27-10-00-201, P/N 90-590012-13, Revision B22, Nov. 2010 provides procedures for aileron installation. Step B of the procedure states, "Carefully align the three hinges with the aileron and install the bolts in each hinge bracket and the aileron." Step C of the procedure states, "Pull on the aileron straight away from the wing. If any movement is detected, carefully check the bolt installation." In 2003, the Raytheon Aircraft Company issued King Air Communique No. 2003-13. The communique stated in part the following: "Raytheon Aircraft Company Technical Support has received reports that during aileron installation the MS27039-1-11 screws missed the nut plates on the aileron hinge points. This condition can go unnoticed. Some operators have painted witness marks on the aileron hinge brackets to give technicians a visual cue that installation is not correct." The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating a similar accident that occurred on February 15, 2011, near Des Moines, Iowa (CEN11LA192). In that accident, the aileron of a Beech E-90 departed from the airplane in-flight during a "return for operation" flight. The airplane had recently undergone maintenance to the aileron. The pilot reported that the airplane was "very controllable" and the airplane was landed without incident.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportChickasha Municipal Airport (1nm)
Runway35
Runway Length5101 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 90B
Tail NumberN37OU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorUniversity of Oklahoma Dept of Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&Wc · PT-6A-21 · Turboprop · 550
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 31 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 19 kt, gusting 29 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data