# NTSB DEN90FA066: Piper PA-31-350, N3554P, Greeley, CO, February 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1990, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.44028, -104.67012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4403&lon=-104.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA066

## 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

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft manuals, manufacturer (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3554P-1992-03-04), registration cancelled 1992-03-04, S/N 318052052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 318052052
- Airframe hours: 22598
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900221005749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900221005749A), Feb 21, 1990: Piper PA31350, Greeley, CO, Destroyed. Right aileron control cable hooked up reversed. Result acted like elevators. Lost control. No preflight check.

## Other investigations on N3554P (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN89LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA224), Sep 8, 1989: Piper PA-31-350 (N3554P), Monument Valley, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WINDSHEAR.

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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