# NTSB ERA10CA425: Ryan Navion B, N5382K, Fort Myers, FL, August 16, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2010, 21:00 local (Aug 16, 2010, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Myers, FL - Coordinates: 26.585277, -81.85778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5853&lon=-81.8578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76971 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76971/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76971 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA425 ## Probable cause The binding of the trim wheel on the instrument panel and the pilot’s improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: elevator tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md?model=6150170), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=6150170), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=6150170), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=6150170), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=6150170), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=6150170), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a previous flight he discovered that the elevator trim adjustment wheel was binding when it set to the full airplane nose-up position. He planned to have the airplane inspected by a mechanic at the conclusion of that flight, but upon arriving at the destination, all of the facilities were closed for the evening. He subsequently departed for the return flight after picking up passengers, and as he began to trim the airplane for the landing flare, the airplane pitched up uncontrollably. As the pilot attempted to recover the airplane, the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the trim wheel was binding on the instrument panel when the trim was set to a nose-up position. When the trim wheel was removed from the trim system, the remainder of the mechanism was free to move in both the up and down directions. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during a previous flight on the same day he discovered that the elevator trim adjustment wheel was binding when set to the full airplane nose up position. He planned to have the airplane inspected by a mechanic at the conclusion of that flight, but upon arriving at the destination, all of the facilities were closed for the evening. He subsequently departed for the return flight after picking up passengers, and as he began to trim the airplane for the landing flare, the airplane pitched up uncontrollably. As the pilot attempted to recover the airplane, the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the trim wheel was binding on the instrument panel when the trim was set to a nose up position. When the trim wheel was removed from the trim system, the remainder of the mechanism was free to move in both the up and down directions. The airplane owner also stated that during a flight 3 weeks prior to the accident, the pilot reported difficulty operating the elevator trim. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5382K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5382K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-2282B, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION B - Registry model: [Ryan NAVION B](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-b) (registry code 6150170) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-2282B - Engines: LYCOMING GO-435C&D SER 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 2010 - Departed: MTH, Marathon, FL - Destination: FMY, Fort Myers, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FMY, Page Field Airport, runway 31, 4,912 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,700 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: FMY ## 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 20100815045139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100815045139A), Aug 15, 2010: Ryan NAVION B, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. During landing, the aircraft experienced an uncommanded severe nose up pitch attitude. Pilot was able to regain some control as the aircraft began to nose… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76971. 10.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Binding Trim Wheel Photographs - Courtesy of FAA (item 3, .PDF, 10.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Binding%20Trim%20Wheel%20Photographs%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.