# NTSB ATL88FA186: Cessna 402B, N8493A, West Columbia, SC, May 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1988, 21:06 local (May 26, 1988, 01:06 UTC)
- Place: West Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.991792, -81.07482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9918&lon=-81.0748&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - disconnected (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,elevator tab - jammed (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE USED ABOUT 1/2 OF THE 8,602 FT RWY FOR THE T/O ROLL. AFTER T/O IT PITCHED NOSE-DOWN BRIEFLY OVER THE RWY DURING INIT CLIMB. THE PLT RADIOED THAT HE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEVATOR WHICH REQUIRED 'FULL BACK PRESSURE' TO KEEP THE NOSE UP, AND THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO LAND. AFTER MANEUVERING AROUND THE ARPT, THE ACFT PITCHED 70-80 DEG NOSE DN AND DOVE INTO TERRAIN OFF THE APPCH END OF THE RWY. THE WRECKAGE EXAM REVEALED THAT THE BOLT SECURING THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB PUSHROD TO THE ACTUATOR WAS MISSING. THE ROD HAD BECOME WEDGED INSIDE THE ELEVATOR WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXTREME TAB UP (NOSE DN) CONDITION. THE ACFT UNDERWENT AN ANNUAL INSP 2 DAYS/5 FLT HRS EARLIER. THE IA MECH RPTD THAT NO MAINT WAS PERFORMED ON THE TAB SYS, AND THAT HE WAS CERTAIN THE BOLT WAS PROPERLY SAFETIED. ANOTHER PLT WHO FLEW THE ACFT THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT RPTD THAT HE FOUND THE PUSHROD TO BE SECURE DURING HIS PREFLT INSP. THE 402B POH INDICATED THAT THE ACFT SHOULD HAVE REQ ABOUT 1,200 FT FOR THE T/O GROUND ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8493A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8493A-1989-08-02), registration cancelled 1989-08-02, S/N 402B0236 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0236
- Airframe hours: 5672
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Napier Air Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Skygo, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1988, 5 hours before
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAE, Columbia Metro, runway 11, 8,602 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,400 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,255 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 1 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).

- [Accident 19880525069729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880525069729A), May 25, 1988: Cessna 402B, Columbia, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Elevator control problem on climbout after long takeoff run. Crashed in trees. Elevator trim push rod bolt missing.

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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