# NTSB CHI87IA047: Fairchild SA226TC, N323BA, Paducah, KY, December 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1986, 14:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.070575, -88.630897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0706&lon=-88.6309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87IA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87IA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - flt control syst,rudder control - worn (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,aaip/progressive program - inadequate, manufacturer (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, manufacturer (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inattentive, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - inadequate substantiation process, company/operator mgmt (cause)
  - flight control,elevator tab - disabled (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, faa(other/organization) (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (cause)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER THE BEGINNING OF A DESCENT FOR LANDING A RUDDER CABLE FAILED COMPLETELY, RENDERING THE RUDDER INOPERATIVE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT THE CABLE WORE SEVERELY UNTIL IT FAILED. FOLLOWING AN EXAMINATION OF TWO OPERATOR'S SA-226 FLEETS MANY OTHER WORN CONTROL CABLES WERE FOUND. LATER, THE FAA: 1. PUBLISHED A CABLE INSPECTION AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 2. RECOMMENDED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLARIFY ITS PUBLISHED CABLE INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND 3. RECOMMENDED THAT AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS REVIEW THEIR CABLE INSPECTION TEACHING THOROUGHNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N323BA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA226TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC280
- Engines: GARRETT 331-3UW-303G 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91 subpart F
- Registered owner: Britt Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STL, ST. LOUIS, MI
- Destination: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PAH, Barkley Regional, runway 4, 6,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,700 total, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: PAH, 15 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).

- [Incident 19861211083039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861211083039I), Dec 11, 1986: Swrngn SA226TC, Mt Vernon, IN, Minor damage. During descent a rudder control cable broke. Safe landing made at paducah, Kentucky.

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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