Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-24-260 near Fullerton, CA — 2023-08-08

Final reportWPR23LA317
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Date
2023-08-08
Location
Fullerton, CA, USA
Airport
FUL
Aircraft
PIPER PA-24-260
Registration
N503JA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff the airplane began to shake violently with the control yoke moving rapidly forward and aft from stop to stop. The pilot was able to perform an on-airport emergency landing after shutting down the engine, but sustained hand injuries due to the extreme control forces and oscillations. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator structure in a manner consistent with it exhibiting aerodynamic flutter. Postaccident examination revealed that the stabilator tab actuator was disconnected from the control tab, and the bolt, nut, and washer that connected them were missing. The disconnection of the actuator allowed the tab surface to uncouple, which resulted in flutter and structural damage to the stabilator. Circumferential scoring around the bolt hole within the tabs indicated that the bolt was likely loose for an undetermined period before failure. The nut had likely not been replaced since the airplane was manufactured almost 60 years before the accident, so its locking properties would have been significantly diminished.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have continued climbing instead of shutting down the engine.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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