# NTSB MIA84IA077: Grumman G-73, N2969, West Palm Beach, FL, February 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1984, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.66053, -80.090888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6605&lon=-80.0909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 14 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84IA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31035/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84IA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - failure,total (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - vibration

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ELEVATOR TRIM LOSS, ENCOUNTERED EXTREME 'SHAKING AND VIBRATION' OF CONTROL COLUMN AND TAIL SECTION FLUTTERING WHILE ON DESCENT TO PALM BEACH INT'L ARPT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE END OF THE ACTUATOR SHAFT FAILED AT A RIVET HOLE ALLOWING THE ACTUATOR TO DISCONNECT FROM THE TRIM TAB SHAFT ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2969](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2969-2011-01-10), registration cancelled 2011-01-10, S/N J-27, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-73
- Registry model: [Grumman G-73](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-73) (registry code 3951802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney W-S1H&S3H](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-w-s1h-s3h) (registry code 52012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: J27
- Airframe hours: 10639
- Engines: P&W PT6A-36 750 lbs thrust turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Chalks International Airline
- Registered owner: Chalks International Airline
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 7, 1984, 259 hours before
- Departed: NAS, NASSAU, OF
- Destination: PBI, PALM BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: West Palm Beach Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19840210010739I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840210010739I), Feb 10, 1984: Gulstm G73, West Palm Beach, FL. Lost elevator trim while descending. Extreme shaking of control column. Found shaft sheared at actuator rivet hold.

## Other investigations on N2969 (3)

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 DCA06MA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA06MA010), Dec 19, 2005: Grumman G-73T (N2969), Miami, FL, destroyed, 20 fatal. Probable cause: The in-flight failure and separation of the right wing during normal flight, which resulted from (1) the failure of the Chalk's Ocean Airways maintenance program to identify and properly repair…
- [NTSB MIA87WA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87WA225), Aug 14, 1987: Grumman G-73-T (N2969), Bimini, Bahamas, incident, no damage
- [NTSB MIA84IA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84IA147), Apr 17, 1984: Grumman G-73T (N2969), Ft. Lauderdale, FL, incident, minor damage

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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