# NTSB CHI99IA136: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, N205ME, Dubuque, IA, April 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 1999, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Dubuque, IA - Coordinates: 42.500335, -90.690635 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5003&lon=-90.6906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 91 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46167 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99IA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46167/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99IA136 ## Probable cause the frozen elevator control. Factors to the incident were the rain and the low temperature. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - flt control syst,elevator control - frozen (cause) - aircraft control - not available, pilot in command - weather condition - rain - weather condition - temperature,low ## Analysis The airplane departed in rain with a surface temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon reaching cruise altitude, the flight crew discovered that the elevator control '...was found to be frozen and would not move.' The pilot said that the aircraft was flown using primary and alternate trim until a descent was made to 'warmer air', and the '... elevator thawed out...' and normal control was regained. An inspection of the aircraft after the incident failed to reveal any anomalies with respect or the aircraft or aircraft systems. On two other occasions, Midwest Express Airlines (MWEA) DC9 aircraft have experienced elevator control difficulties. On these occurrences, the aircraft departed in rain with temperatures of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and 39 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. On one of the occurrences, MWEA maintenance personnel found ice accretions in the elevator control bay of the vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 1999, approximately 0930 central daylight time, a McDonnel Douglas DC9-32, N205ME, operated by Midwest Express Airlines, Inc. (MWEA), experienced a loss of elevator control while in cruise flight near Dubuque, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 121 flight departed General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 0920, enroute to Eppley Airfield, Omaha, Nebraska. The flight crew piloted the aircraft using the elevator trim system until regaining elevator control after descent. The airplane landed at Eppley Airfield without further incident. There were no reported injuries to the 6 crew members or to the 85 passengers. The pilot stated that the aircraft departed General Mitchell International Airport in "moderate wind driven rain." The pilot said that when the aircraft was leveled off, after climb, the elevator control "...was found to be frozen and would not move." The pilot further stated that when a descent was made to "warmer air", the "... elevator thawed out..." and normal control was regained. A weather report for General Mitchell International Airport, MKE, at 0856, showed a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit, rain, mist, and winds from 030 degrees magnetic at 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. An inspection of the aircraft after the incident failed to reveal any anomalies with respect or the aircraft or aircraft systems. On two other occasions, MWEA DC9 aircraft experienced elevator control difficulties. On these occurrences, the aircraft departed in rain with temperatures of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and 39 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. On one of the occurrences, MWEA maintenance personnel found ice accretions in the elevator control bay of the vertical stabilizer (Reference: CHI99IA115). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N205ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N205ME-2003-05-16), registration cancelled 2003-05-16, S/N 47601, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 - Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-32) (registry code 3022066) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47601 - Airframe hours: 44776 - Engines: P&W JT8D-9A 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Midwest Express Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 1, 1999, 646 hours before - Departed: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI - Destination: OMA, OMAHA, NE - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 17 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MKE 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.