# NTSB BFO93LA074: Cessna 172, N3914F, Towanda, PA, May 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1993, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Towanda, PA
- Coordinates: 41.760578, -76.440109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7606&lon=-76.4401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA074

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AILERON CONTROL CABLE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - corroded (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - failure,partial
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE FAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT AFT DOOR POST IN THE LOCATION OF A PULLEY.  THE PILOT STATED IT TOOK FULL RIGHT AILERON TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE FROM ROLLING. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND.  DURING THE BASE LEG, THE PILOT APPLIED FULL FLAPS.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ROLL LEFT AND THE AILERONS DID NOT RESPOND TO CONTROL INPUTS.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND LEFT WING DOWN AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.  A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED CABLE REVEALED THAT IT WAS CORRODED IN THE AREA OF THE FAILURE.  THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED A 100 HOUR ANNUAL INSPECTION ON OCTOBER 3, 1992.  SINCE THE INSPECTION, THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN ABOUT ONE HOUR.  THE AIRPLANE WAS TIED DOWN OUTSIDE FOR MOST OF THE TIME SINCE PURCHASED IN THE YEAR 1958.  THE FAILED AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS AN ORIGINAL CABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3914F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3914F-1993-10-06), registration cancelled 1993-10-06, S/N 36814 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36814
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glenn E. Murphy
- Registered owner: Glenn E. Murphy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: N27
- Destination: 76N, TUNKHANNOCK, PA
- Airport: N27, Towanda, runway 22, 3,000 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 250 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVP, 60 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 19930508012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930508012649A), May 8, 1993: Cessna 172, Towanda, PA, Destroyed. Lost aileron control on climbout. Made it around pattern but lost control on final. Rusty aileron cable failed.

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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