# NTSB NYC88IA141: Cessna S550, N81SH, Allentown, PA, May 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1988, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Allentown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.599952, -75.469154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6000&lon=-75.4692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88IA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88IA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight control,flap - separation
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, manufacturer (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT FL350 IN LIGHT TURBULENCE, THE TRAILING HALF OF THE LEFT HAND OUTBOARD TRAILING EDGE FLAP SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PILOT DECLARED AND EMERGENCY AND LANDED AT POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE PORTION OF THE DAMAGED FLAP WHICH REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE ACFT WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED AT THE NTSB MATERIALS LABORATORY. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FLAP DRAIN/VENT HOLES WERE SEALED WITH A FILLED MATERIAL AND PAINT. THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL OF 206 HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, AN EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE WAS ISSUED CALLING FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE DRAIN/VENT HOLES ON THE INBOARD END OF EACH OF THE FOUR FLAP PANELS ON CESSNA S550 ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81SH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA S550
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: S550-0146
- Airframe hours: 206
- Engines: P&W JT-15D-4B 2500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Con Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Con Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 1, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: BDL, WINDSOR LOCKS, CT
- Destination: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,782 total, 170 in this make and model, 6,064 as pilot in command, 182 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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