# NTSB ANC92LA032: De Havilland DHC-3, N13GA, Metlakatla, AK, February 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1992, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Metlakatla, AK
- Coordinates: 55.139694, -131.489151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.1397&lon=-131.4892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA032

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIVETS ATTACHING THE TRIM TAB CONTROL HORN TO THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TRIM TAB.

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S CONTROL YOKE STARTED VIBRATING AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN. THE PILOT CORRECTED BY RE-TRIMMING THE AIRPLANE AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIVETS ATTACHING THE TRIM TAB CONTROL HORN TO THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TRIM TAB HAD PULLED OUT, ALLOWING THE TRIM TAB AND ELEVATOR TO FLUTTER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - failure,total (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13GA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13GA-1996-06-13), registration cancelled 1996-06-13, S/N 179 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-3
- Registry model: [Dehavilland OTTER U-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-otter-u-1a) (registry code 2800203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 179
- Airframe hours: 6254
- Engines: P&W R-1340-59 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Taquan Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Taquan Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1992, 75 hours before
- Departed: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MTM, Metlakatla

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,607 total, 66 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920204001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920204001829A), Feb 4, 1992: Dhav DHC3, Metlakatla, AK, Substantial damage. Control yoke began vibrating on final. Water landed safely. Rivets attaching trim tab pulled out. Elevator flutter.

## Other investigations on N13GA (1)

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

- [NTSB ANC94FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94FA070), Jun 23, 1994: de Havilland DHC-3 (N13GA), Juneau, AK, substantial damage, 7 fatal. Probable cause: VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE…

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

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