# NTSB DCA04IA018: Embraer 135, N734EK, Bangor, MA, January 19, 2004

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 2004, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Bangor, MA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 40 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Parties: Headquarters
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA04IA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA04IA018

## Probable cause

Severe wear of the internal threads of the rudder interconnection contol rod which led to disengagement.

## 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,rudder control cable/rod - failure (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - worn (cause)

## Analysis

American Eagle Embraer 135, N734EK, experienced an uncommanded rudder deflection after takeoff from Bangor, Maine.  The flight crew returned to Bangor and landed the airplane uneventfully.  There were 35 passengers and 3 crew members on board.  Inspection of the airplane after the incident revealed a failed rudder interconnect rod. Examination of the failed components in the NTSB Materials Lab revealed that the internal threads of the interconnect rod were worn.

## Factual narrative

American Eagle Embraer 135, N734EK, experienced an uncommanded rudder deflection after takeoff from Bangor, Maine.  The flight crew returned to Bangor and landed the airplane uneventfully.  There were 35 passengers and 3 crew members on board.  Inspection of the airplane after the incident revealed a failed rudder interconnect rod.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734EK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734EK-2019-09-09), registration cancelled 2019-09-09, S/N 145371, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Embraer 135
- Registry model: [Embraer EMB-135LR](https://openairdocs.org/model/embraer-emb-135lr) (registry code 3260305) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison AE3007C series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-ae3007c-series) (registry code 03028, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Simmons Airlines Inc
- Departed: KBGR, Bangor, MA
- Destination: KBOS, Boston, MA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: none
- Co-pilot; injuries: none

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.21 inHg

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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