# NTSB CHI82FA211: Piper PA-30, N7254Y, Vandalia, OH, June 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1982, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Vandalia, OH
- Coordinates: 39.800708, -84.320373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8007&lon=-84.3204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - flight control,stabilator - flutter
  - flight control,stabilator - improper (cause)
  - ruddervator - improper, production/design personnel (cause)
  - performance data - not attained, production/design personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,design change - inadequate, production/design personnel (cause)
  - acft/equip inadequate,supplemental type cert, manufacturer (cause)

## Analysis

DURING DESCENT AT 215 MPH THE ACFT ENTERED VIOLENT BUFFETING. RECOVERY WAS INITIATED BY REDUCING POWER & THE ACFT LANDED WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR WAS PERMANENTLY BENT DOWNWARD ON BOTH SIDES. THE ACFT WAS MODIFIED WITH GAP SEALS ON 5/25/82 IAW STC SA516GL. EXAMINATION OF THE COUNTERBALANCE ARM ASSEMBLY SHOWED THAT TWO SMALL WEIGHTS (SLUGS) WERE USED TO OBTAIN A BALANCED CONDITION WHEN THE STC MODIFICATION WAS COMPLETED ON THE STABILATOR. THE STC CONTAINED A LIMITATION THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE INCORPORATED IN ANY ACFT HAVING OTHER APPROVED MODIFICATIONS UNLESS IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT IT WILL NOT INTRODUCE ANY ADVERSE EFFECT UPON ACFT AIRWORTHINESS. THIS ACFT HAD 8 OTHER MODIFICATIONS. ON 7/10/82 THE OWNER OF THE STC ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH EFFECTIVELY REMOVED THE GAP SEALS ON ALL PA-30 & PA-39 TYPE.ACFT THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN MODIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7254Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7254Y), registered now, S/N 30-280, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-280
- Airframe hours: 3150
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C2C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael I. Massimini
- Registered owner: Michael I. Massimini
- Departed: VANDALIA, OH
- Destination: VANDALIA, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,304 total, 650 in this make and model, 3,314 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 117 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820606028879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820606028879A), Jun 6, 1982: Piper PA30, Vandalia, OH, Substantial damage. Violent buffeting which occurred in horizonal stabilizer caused permanent bending in structure. Torque tube defect.

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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