- Date
- February 21, 1990, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place
- Greeley, CO
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N3554PPiper PA-31-350
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 14, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations
- Yes
- FAA report
- 19900221005749A
- Case key
- 17822
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The improper identification of parts in the Piper PA-31-350 service manual pertaining to the aileron cables. This discrepancy resulted in the improper installation of the aileron cables on the right aileron bellcrank by a mechanic during the reconstruction of the right wing. The improper connection resulted in a loss of aircraft control by the pilot immediately after takeoff. Also causal to the accident were the inadequate inspection of the flight control system by a second mechanic with inspection authorization, and the inadequate preflight inspection of the flight control system by the pilot prior to takeoff.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
N3554P was on a maintenance test flight after the right wing was repaired. The pilot lost control of the airplane shortly after liftoff and was unable to regain control prior to the ground impact. The A&P mechanic who performed the repairs, re assembled the right wing aileron control cables per the Piper service manual. Post accident examination of the aileron control system revealed the right wing control cables were reversed on the aileron bellcrank, resulting in both ailerons moving the same direction (either up or down) when the control wheel was turned left or right.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3554P
- Reported as
- Piper PA-31-350
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 318052052
- Airframe hours
- 22,598
- Engine
- Lycoming TIO-540-J28D, 350 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Operator
- Beegles Aircraft Services, Inc
- Registered owner
- Aviation Services West, Inc
- Departed
- GXY
- Destination
- GXY
- Airport
- CXY · Greeley/Weld Cty, runway 27, 6,210 × 100 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,455 total · 139 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 350° at 15 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 32 °F, dew point -0 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N3554P · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.