# NTSB LAX84FA415: de Havilland DHC-6-300, N43SP, Tau, Antarctica, July 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1984, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Tau, Antarctica
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 7 serious, 8 minor; on the ground: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA415
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA415

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - flt control syst,elevator control - corroded (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASH LANDED AFTER THE PLT USED FLAPS AND POWER TO SEMI-CONTROL PITCH AFTER THE ELEVATOR DOWN CONTROL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL ON FINAL APPROACH. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE TERMINAL ROOF DURING THE STALL MUSH FROM50 FT AGL. THE COMPANY IS CHANGING THEIR ACFT CONTROL CABLES FROM STEEL TO STAINLESS STEEL TO AID IN THE ANTI-CORROSION AND MODIFYING THEIR INSPECTION PERIOD FROM 800 TO 100 HOURS BETWEEN INSPECTIONS. THE CABLE THAT SEPARATED FAILED FROM CORROSION. NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE CRACKING OR MECHANICAL WEAR WAS FOUND. CORROSION PRODUCTS WERE FOUND WITHIN 2 INCHES OF THE SERAPATION ON BOTH CABLE PIECES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43SP-1984-08-23), registration cancelled 1984-08-23, S/N 669 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6-300
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-300) (registry code 2802630) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 669
- Airframe hours: 11281
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: South Pacific Island
- Registered owner: South Pacific Island
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 20, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: PPG, PAGO PAGO,SAMOA, OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HI36, Tau, runway 36, 2,170 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,094 total, 1,020 in this make and model, 4,026 as pilot in command, 391 in the last 90 days, 117 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840721039569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840721039569A), Jul 21, 1984: Dhav DHC6TWNOTTER, Tau, Manua Isl, American Samoa, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. While holding yoke on final approach felt snap. No elevator control. Struck ground coming to rest against terminal.

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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