MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA
N618US
BOEING 747-251F
AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF AILERON CTL WHEN ICE FORMED AROUND AILERON CONTROL CABLES AND RESTRICTED THEIR MOVEMENT. WATER DRAINING THROUGH OPEN PLENUM DRAINS IN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL WELL FROZE WHEN EXPOSED TO BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES AT 35,000 FT. THE FLIGHT CREW WAS ABLE TO REGAIN LIMITED CONTROL BY USING VERY HEAVY CONTROL INPUTS. THE ACFT WAS LANDED UNEVENTFULLY AFTER DIVERTING TO THE NEAREST SUITABLE AIRPORT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE DRAINS WERE INADVERTENTLY LEFT OPEN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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