# NTSB NYC85IA062: Beech BE-99, N200TC, Putnam, CT, February 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1985, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Putnam, CT
- Location: 41.9168° N, 71.9107° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Putnam, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9168&lon=-71.9107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85IA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85IA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,rudder - movement restricted (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control - disconnected (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control - disabled (cause)
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT DURING TKF THE ACFT STARTED TO YAW & ROLL IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH WAKE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER. HE APPLIED FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER & AILERON. NORMAL DIRECTIONAL WAS REGAINED BETWEEN 50-75 FT ABOVE THE GND. THE ACFT WAS LEVELED FOR CRUISE AT 5000 FT. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PLT NOTICED A SLIGHT BINDING OF THE RUDDERS. HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AN INSTRUMENT APCH & LNDG FOLLOWED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER WELD ASSEMBLY. THE BELLCRANK FITTING & WELD ASSEMBLY ARE FASTENED TOGETHER BY 10 RIVETS & A BOLT & NUT. THE RIVETS WERE SHEARED. THE BOLT & NUT WAS FASTENED, HOWEVER, THE BOLT HOLE WAS ELONGATED TO A LENGTH OF APPROX 30 DEGREES AROUND THE CIRCUMFRENCE OF THE BELLCRANK FITTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N200TC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-99
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: V-7
- Airframe hours: 23181
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bar Harbor Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bar Harbor Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BDL
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 7,002 total, 1,432 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDL

## 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 19850206033089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850206033089I), Feb 6, 1985: Beech 99, Putnam, CT, Minor damage. Rudder control problem in cruise, landed safely. Rivets connecting rudder bellcrank to weld assembly sheared.

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.