Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary BFO93LA074

TOWANDA, PA, USA

Aircraft #1

N3914F

CESSNA 172

Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE FAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT AFT DOOR POST IN THE LOCATION OF A PULLEY. THE PILOT STATED IT TOOK FULL RIGHT AILERON TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE FROM ROLLING. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. DURING THE BASE LEG, THE PILOT APPLIED FULL FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ROLL LEFT AND THE AILERONS DID NOT RESPOND TO CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING DOWN AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED CABLE REVEALED THAT IT WAS CORRODED IN THE AREA OF THE FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED A 100 HOUR ANNUAL INSPECTION ON OCTOBER 3, 1992. SINCE THE INSPECTION, THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE AIRPLANE WAS TIED DOWN OUTSIDE FOR MOST OF THE TIME SINCE PURCHASED IN THE YEAR 1958. THE FAILED AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS AN ORIGINAL CABLE.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FAILURE OF THE AILERON CONTROL CABLE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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