# NTSB DCA97IA030: Boeing 727F, N465FE, Atlanta, GA, March 3, 1997

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1997
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.7490° N, 84.3880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlanta, GA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-84.3880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA97IA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA97IA030

## Probable cause

A jammed elevator resulting from a backed-off elevator trim tab nut.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating
  - flight control,elevator - jammed
  - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause)

## Analysis

On March 3, 1997, A Federal Express Airlines  Boeing 727F, N465FE, experienced a flight control malfunction while standing with engines running, at Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia.

An elevator trim tab casting nut was found backed off and jammed the elevator.

No additional information is available.

## Factual narrative

On March 3, 1997, A Federal Express Airlines  Boeing 727F, N465FE, experienced a flight control malfunction while standing with engines running, at Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia.

An elevator trim tab casting nut was found backed off and jammed the elevator.

No additional information is available.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N465FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N465FE-2015-08-10), registration cancelled 2015-08-10, S/N 21289, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 727F
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-225](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-225) (registry code 1384077) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-9-series) (registry code 52048, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Federal Express Airlines
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

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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