# NTSB NYC97IA123: Beech 1900D, N165YV, Clarksburg, WV, June 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1997, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Clarksburg, WV - Coordinates: 39.280895, -80.33049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2809&lon=-80.3305&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97IA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39291/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97IA123 ## Probable cause The right outboard flap detaching from the flap aft roller bearings, at the flap track, which was a result of the manufacturer's inadequate inspection program. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - flt control syst,wing flap control bearing - separation (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, manufacturer (cause) ## Analysis The pilot lowered the flaps to 35 degrees while on final approach to runway 21. He noted aileron binding as the flaps traveled to 35 degrees, and at the same time heard a snap under the floor of the cockpit. After landing the flaps were not retracted. The airplane was taxied to the terminal where it was observed that the right outboard flap panel had became detached from the flap aft roller bearings at the inboard flap track. The flap was in contact with the aileron, which interfered with aileron control. The manufacturer had published a Safety Communique during May 1997. The Communique dealt with the inspection of the outboard flap attachment brackets and aft roller bearings of Beech 1900 series airplanes. The incident airplane was scheduled to have the inspection complied with during the next 30 days. The airplane had accumulated about 3,317 flight hours and 7,069 landings. An inspection of the remainder of the operator's fleet of Beech 1900D airplanes revealed that eight additional airplanes failed the inspection criteria, but had not reached the assigned number of cycles specified in the Communique. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1997, about 1735 eastern daylight time, a Beech 1900D, N165YV, operated by Mesa Airlines, Inc., as Air Shuttle flight 5974, received minor damage during flap extension while on final approach to the Benedum Airport, Clarksburg, West Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot-in-command and copilot were not injured. No passengers were on board. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the scheduled passenger flight that originated at Parkersburg, West Virginia, about 1710. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), the flaps were lowered to 35 degrees while on final approach to runway 21. The PIC noted considerable aileron binding as the flaps traveled to 35 degrees, and at the same time heard a snap under the floor of the cockpit. He observed that the flap indicator displayed 35 degrees of flaps. After landing, the PIC requested that the copilot not retract the flaps. The airplane was then taxied to the terminal where the flap damage was noted. Examination of the airplane by Mesa Airlines maintenance personnel revealed that the right outboard flap became detached from the flap aft roller bearings, at the inboard flap track. The flap was in contact with the aileron, interfering with aileron control. The Raytheon Aircraft Company published a Safety Communique, during May, 1997. The Communique dealt with the inspection of the outboard flap attachment brackets and aft roller bearings of Beech 1900 series airplanes. The incident airplane was scheduled to have the inspection complied with during the next 30 days. The airplane had accumulated about 3,317 flight hours and 7,069 landings. An inspection of the remainder of the Mesa fleet of Beech 1900D airplanes was accomplished per the Beech Safety Communique. The inspection revealed eight additional airplanes failed the inspection criteria that were not yet to the assigned number of cycles specified in the Communique. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N165YV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N165YV), registered now, S/N UE-165, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 1900D - Registry model: [Beech 1900D](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-1900d) (registry code 1154162) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: UE165 - Airframe hours: 3328 - Engines: P&W PT6A-67D 1353 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Mesa Airlines, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 17, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: PKB, PARKERSBURG, WV - Destination: CKB - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CKB, Benedum, runway 21, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MGW, 20 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 19970619020319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970619020319I), Jun 19, 1997: Beech 1900D, Clarksburg, WV, Minor damage. During flap extend on approach loud pop. Ailerons became stiff. Landed. Flap attach fastener broke jamming ailerons 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.