WASHINGTON, MO, USA
N511B
BEECH A35
FLUTTER OF THE EMPENNAGE OCCURRED DURING FLIGHT IN SMOOTH AIR, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AFT FUSELAGE & BULKHEADS NEAR THE RUDDERVATOR ATTACHMENT POINTS. POST-ACCIDENT TESTS DISCLOSED THE STATIC BALANCE OF BOTH RUDDERVATORS TO BE EXCESSIVELY TAIL-HEAVY. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE RUDDERVATOR SURFACES HAD LAST BEEN PAINTED, WHILE STILL ATTACHED TO THE AIRPLANE. THICKNESS OF THE PRIMER & PAINT EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURER'S FACTORY ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.
IMPROPER STATIC BALANCE OF THE RUDDERVATORS FOLLOWING REBUILDING/REPAINTING, WHICH RESULTED IN EMPENNAGE FLUTTER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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