# NTSB ATL87IA114: Cessna 340, N25RF, Myrtle Beach, SC, April 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1987, 21:45 local (Apr 17, 1987, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Myrtle Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.690349, -78.890533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6903&lon=-78.8905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87IA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87IA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - autopilot/flight director,transmitter(autopilot) - erratic (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT INITIATED AUTOPLT CLIMB FROM 12000 TO 16000 FT. PLT HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE. ACFT PITCHED UP AND EFFORTS OF BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE REQD TO KEEP NOSE DOWN.  PLT STATED TRIM STUCK IN FULL NOSE UP POSITION.  PLT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACFT APPROACHED RWY FOR LDG, HE REDUCED PWR AND ACFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT. THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. TESTING SHOWED ELECTRICAL OUTPUT TO AUTOPILOT ERRATIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25RF), registered now, S/N 340-0307, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Registry model: [Cessna 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340) (registry code 2076404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-0307
- Airframe hours: 2003
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-KC5 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Red Tail Aircraft Copr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1986, 140 hours before
- Departed: ILN, WILMINGTON, NC
- Destination: FXE, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CRE, Grand Stand, runway 23, 5,996 × 109 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,323 total, 54 in this make and model, 2,110 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYB

## 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 19870416048149I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870416048149I), Apr 16, 1987: Cessna 340CESSNA, North Myrtle Be, SC, Minor damage. Aircraft on emergency approach landed short. Autopilot had driven pitch trim full up, pilot disconnected autopilot.

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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