# NTSB ATL03IA073: Cessna 182P, N696SP, Eufaula, AL, April 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 2003, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Eufaula, AL - Coordinates: 31.95111, -85.12889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9511&lon=-85.1289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 56737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03IA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03IA073 ## Probable cause Fatigue failure of end rib for the left canard flap. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - flight control,elevator attachment - fatigue (cause) ## Analysis The purpose of the personal flight was undetermined. While in cruise flight at 5000 feet, the pilot noticed the elevators on the canard wings vibrating abnormally. The vibrations increased throughout the airplane and the left canard was observed hanging down. The pilot reported the airplane's condition to Columbus Approach Control, and requested radar vectors to the nearest airport, Weedon Field, Eufaula, Alabama. The flight landed without further incident. The airplane was a 1973 model Cessna 182P. It was refurbished in 1998 when the canard was added through STC #SA485SW. The pilot did report the airplane having a mechanical malfunction with the nose control assembly left hand canard elevator. The part had a total time of 453 hours on it. The post-landing examination of the airplane revealed a separation of the left canard elevator bell crank from the elevator. The bell crank fasteners were intact. Further examination of the airplane revealed the end rib for the left canard flap was fractured at the location where the left control rod attachment bracket was attached. Wear was observed on the left control rod end fitting. The fatigue features emanated from multiple origins at both the exterior and interior sides of the end rib, consistent with reverse-bending fatigue. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 2003 at 1030 central standard time, a Cessna 182P, N696SP, registered to and operated by a private pilot, sustained structural flight control damage while flying at cruise altitude near Eufaula, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan was filed. The canard modified airplane sustained minor damages. The commercial pilot and passengers were not injured. The flight departed Tishomingo County Airport, Belmont, Mississippi, at 0900. The purpose of the personal flight was undetermined, however the flight was enroute to Cook County Airport in Adel, Georgia. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 5000 feet, the he noticed the elevators on the canard wings vibrating abnormally. The vibrations increased throughout the airplane and the left canard was observed hanging down. The pilot reported the airplane's condition to Columbus Approach Control, and requested radar vectors to the nearest airport, Weedon Field, Eufaula, Alabama. The flight landed without further incident. The airplane was a 1973 Cessna 182P. It was refurbished in 1998 when the canard was added through STC #SA485SW. The pilot did report the airplane having a mechanical malfunction with the nose control assembly left hand canard elevator. The part had a total time of 453 hours on it. The examination of the airplane revealed a separation of the left canard elevator bell crank from the elevator. The bell crank fasteners were intact. Further examination of the airplane revealed the end rib for the left canard flap was fractured at the location where the left control rod attachment bracket was attached. Several cracks were observed in the attachment flange areas of the attachment frame. The left control rod was bent in the threaded region adjacent to the forward rod end fitting. Wear was observed on the left control rod end fitting. In many areas the fractures of the end rib corresponded to the profiles of the nut plates that were riveted to the internal side of the flap end rib. The fracture features included step fractures between planes and these features are consistent with fatigue. The fatigue features emanated from multiple origins at both the exterior and interior sides of the end rib, consistent with reverse-bending fatigue. The right control rod attachment bracket was removed and upon inspection, cracks were observed on the right canard flap end rib. Cracks around one of the nut plates were opened and had fatigue features similar to those observed on the left canard end rib extending across the thickness of the end rib. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N696SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N696SP-2006-04-24), registration cancelled 2006-04-24, S/N 18262144, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18262144 - Airframe hours: 2194 - Engines: Continental IO-470-F27BR 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mike Stockton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 2002, 68 hours before - Departed: 01M, Belmont, MS - Destination: 15J, Adel CookCounty, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: EUF, Weedon Field, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 951 total, 150 in this make and model, 898 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: CSG, 50 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20030401004399I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030401004399I), Apr 1, 2003: Cessna 182P, Eufaula, AL, Minor damage. (-23) The Cessna 182 had a peterson STC conversion on the aircraft. While on an IFR flight, a vibration developed in the Cessna 182. The pilot requested… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.