# NTSB NYC05IA029: Fairchild-Heliporter Pilatus PC6/B2-H2, N7391U, Cross Keys, NJ, December 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 2004, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Cross Keys, NJ - Coordinates: 40.29943, -74.520881 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2994&lon=-74.5209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 9 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 60714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05IA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60714/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05IA029 ## Probable cause A total failure of the left elevator attachment point for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - flight control,elevator attachment - failure,total (cause) ## Analysis About 5 minutes after takeoff, the left elevator partially separated, and fluttered for about 15-20 seconds. During that time, the pilot had difficulty controlling the airplane. The left elevator then completely separated, and the pilot regained control of the airplane. After regaining control, the pilot performed an uneventful landing. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left elevator separated about the mid-point of the horizontal stabilizer. The left elevator was attached to a bellcrank, secured by two 3/8-inch bolts. The bolts and elevator were not recovered. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 2004, about 1145 eastern standard time, a Fairchild-Heliporter Pilatus PC6/B2-H2, N7391U, sustained minor damage during climb from Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross Keys, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and eight passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local commercial skydive flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the airplane departed on runway 27, with eight skydivers. About 5 minutes after takeoff, the left elevator partially separated, and fluttered for about 15-20 seconds. During that time, the pilot had difficulty controlling the airplane. The left elevator then completely separated, and the pilot regained control of the airplane. The pilot flew over the airport, and instructed the skydivers to jump. After the skydivers were out of the airplane, the pilot performed an uneventful landing on runway 27. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left elevator separated about the mid-point of the horizontal stabilizer. The left elevator was attached to a bellcrank, secured by two 3/8-inch bolts. The bolts and elevator were not recovered. The airplane had been operated about 20 hours since its last 100-hour inspection, which was completed on October 8, 2004. A review of the FAA Service Difficulty Report database did not reveal any prior similar events with the make and model airplane. However, after the incident, the pilot filed a Service Difficulty Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7391U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7391U-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 2028, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fairchild-Heliporter Pilatus PC6/B2-H2 - Registry model: [Fairchild Heli-Porter PILATUS PC6/B2-H2](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-heli-porter-pilatus-pc6-b2-h2) (registry code 3375012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-series) (registry code 61508, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2028 - Airframe hours: 15954 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Freefall Adventures - Registered owner: Aire Express LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2004, 20 hours before - Departed: 17N, Cross Keys, NJ - Airport: 17N, Cross Keys Airport, runway 27, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 5,900 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,750 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 13 nm away 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.