# NTSB MIA87FA013: Grumman G-73, N604SS, St. Croix, October 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1986, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Croix
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 serious, 9 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - electrical system,electric wiring - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - chafed (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control - separation (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control - loss,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PLTS LOST AILERON CONTROL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. THE LEFT TURNING TENDENCIES OF THE ACFT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED AND THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN THE CARRIBEAN SEA. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT AILERON CONTROL CABLE WAS TRAPPED WITHIN A BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CABLES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN AN ELECTRICAL CABLE FROM A REVERSE CURRENT RELAY IN THE RIGHT WING TO THE MAIN JUNCTION BOX IN THE LEFT CABIN AREA AT THE CENTER WING WAS CHANGED AND SECURED. THE AILERON CABLE CHAFED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF THE LARGE ELECTRICAL CABLE. WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE METAL ELECTRICAL CABLE THE AILERON CABLE ARCHED AT SEVERAL POINTS AND SEPARATED AT TWO DIFFERENT POINTS CAUSING A LOSS OF AILERON CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N604SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N604SS-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N J4 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: S-4
- Engines: P&W R1340-S1H1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Virgin Island Seaplane Shuttle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SSB, CHRISTIANSTED
- Destination: SPB, ST. THOMAS
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,340 total, 195 in this make and model, 10,055 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STX, 5 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).

- [Accident 19861028052119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861028052119A), Oct 28, 1986: Gulstm G73, St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The amphibian impacted the water after aileron cable was burned through by electrical short. Improper maintenance.

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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