Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32R-300 near Warrenton, VA — 2012-03-14

Final reportERA12IA237
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Date
2012-03-14
Location
Warrenton, VA, USA
Airport
HWY
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32R-300
Registration
N1358H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

Maintenance personnel's failure to identify stress corrosion cracking in the stabilator control cable during the most recent inspection, and the subsequent failure of the cable on the flight after the inspection.

NTSB narrative

During the landing flare, the pilot heard a "boom," the airplane's nose dropped, and the airplane contacted the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the lower stabilator control cable turnbuckle had fractured as a result of stress corrosion cracking. An annual inspection was completed on the airplane the day before the accident. According to the airframe logbook entry, the inspection was performed in accordance with the PA32R-300 inspection checklist, which required, in part, inspection of the stabilator cable terminals and turnbuckles. The NTSB issued recommendations in 2001 to the FAA regarding the failure of control cable turnbuckles and recommending issuance of an airworthiness directive to require inspections of affected aircraft. On August 2, 2012, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking indicating the intention to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would require inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary. The AD would be applicable for PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspection of control cable turnbuckles for corrosion prior to the flight.

NTSB coding

  • Flight control sys malf/fail · Landing-flare/touchdown
  • Maintenance

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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