# NTSB ATL82DA115: Piper PA-23, N1227P, Louisville, KY, April 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1982, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Location: 38.2542° N, 85.7594° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Louisville, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2542&lon=-85.7594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke
  - flight control,rudder tab - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - flight control,rudder - vibration
  - flight control,rudder - separation
  - flight control,rudder tab surface - separation
  - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING LEVEL FLIGHT AT 9000 FT, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY A VIBRATION FOR 15 TO 20 SECONDS. HE DIVERTED AND LANDED AT LOUISVILLE, KY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER TRIM TAB ACTUATOR ARM HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TAB. ALSO, THE TAB AND MOST OF THE RUDDER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VERTICLE STABILIZER. MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN THE AREA OF THE RUDDER TRIM TAB ACTUATOR ARM ATTACH AREA. FOUR POPPED RIVETS HAD BEEN USED TO ATTACH A SKIN PATCH (UNDER THE RUDDER TRIM TAB BRACKET). EIGHT RIVETS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE BRACKET TO THE TRIM TAB. NONE OF THE 12 RIVETS MET THE STANDARD OF DEFORMING/EXPANDING THE RIVET TO 1 AND 1/2 TIMES THE ORIGINAL DIAMETER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE LOGBOOKS FAILED TO REVEAL WHEN THE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1227P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1227P-2020-01-03), registration cancelled 2020-01-03, S/N 23-247, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-247
- Airframe hours: 3558
- Engines: LYCOMING O-340-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Suncoast Aviation
- Registered owner: Suncoast Aviation
- Departed: INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,300 total, 20 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 122 °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 19820425013729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820425013729A), Apr 25, 1982: Piper PA23, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Vibration in flight. After landing found most of rudder missing. Improper patch at rudder trim failed. No record.

## Other investigations on N1227P (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 CHI70D0090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0090), Jun 6, 1969: Piper PA-23 (N1227P), Fond Du Lac, WI, substantial damage

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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