# Accident 20030323005359A: Reims FA150K, Cypress, TX, March 23, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 23, 2003, 09:40 local time
- Place: Cypress, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.9356° N, 95.6400° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9356&lon=-95.6400&mi=10
- Aircraft: N922SZ, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N922SZ-2015-05-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Reims CESSNA FA150K (registry code 7530129, https://openairdocs.org/model/reims-cessna-fa150k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REIMS FA150K
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 400 total, 300 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA115) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030323005359A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) CESSNA FA-150-K, S/N 0047, N922SZ. THE AIRCRAFT TACH TIME WAS 5266.1 HOURS WITH THE AIRCRAFT TOTAL TIME CALCULATED AS 7749 HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE INVESTIGATION WITH APPROXIMATELY 41 HOURS FROM THE LAST ANNUAL. THE G METER WAS SHOWING A MAXIMUM LOAD OF 3 AND 1/2 UNITS. THE DAMAGE APPEARED TO BE ON THE RIGHT (STARBOARD) SIDE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR WITH THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB MISSING. THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SHOWED SMALL BUCKLES IN THE LOWER SKIN ALONG THE AFT SPAR AND THE OUTBOARD HINGE POINT AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL CANNING IN THE TOP SKIN INDICATING THE AFT SPAR HAD BENT. THE RIGHT ELEVATOR HAD OVER-TRAVELED AND WAS HELD IN THE NOSE DOWN POSITION BY THE ELEVATORS TOP SKIN OVER-LAPPING THE TOP OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS MISSING FROM THE AIRCRAFT (THE TAB WITH HINGE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND AT THIS TIME) THE HINGE ATTACHMENTS HAD PULLED THE RIVETS FROM THE ELEVATOR AND THE CONTROL HORN WAS ALSO PULLED FROM THE TAB. THE TRIM TAB ACTUATOR WAS FOUND TO BE AT 1.8 INCHES OF EXTENSION AND WITH VERY LITTLE ENDPLAY. IT WAS NOTED HOWEVER THAT THE ACTUATOR DID HAVE APPROXIMATELY 1/8 OF AN INCH FORWARD AND AFT PLAY IN THE MOUNTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW03LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA115), Mar 23, 2003: Cessna FA150K (N922SZ), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of the elevator trim tab.

## Other reports on N922SZ (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19930613018069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930613018069A), Jun 13, 1993: Cessna 150K (N922SZ), Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power near destination. Nosed over landing. Engine installed from wreck. Bad valves poor compression and other

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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