# NTSB ATL81IA032: Convair 580, N531SA, Norfolk, VA, December 30, 1980

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 30, 1980
- Place: Norfolk, VA · NORFOLK, VA
- Location: 36.8468° N, 76.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norfolk, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8468&lon=-76.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81IA032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81IA032

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-0018  80/12/30   NORFOLK,VA          CONVAIR 580         CR-  0  0  2  SCHED DOM CARGO SRV       AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 2222                    N531SA              PX-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR, 10000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-MINOR        OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 3000 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        CLASSIFIED AS INCIDENT
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NORFOLK INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          RALEIGH,NC                  BALTIMORE,MD                 NORFOLK,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES: ELEVATOR ASSEMBLY,ATTACHMENTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PREVIOUS DAMAGE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        REMARKS- ACFT PITCHED-UP WITHOUT CTL INPUT.L ELEV FREE-FLOATING,TORQUETUBE RIVETS SHEARED.ELEV VIB OTR FLTS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N531SA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CONVAIR 580
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Airport: Norfolk Intl

## 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 19801230088459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801230088459I), Dec 30, 1980: Cvac STCAPJC, Baltimore, MD, Minor damage. Elevator control problem developed on climb out after take off. Flight was able to continue to destination.

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.

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