# NTSB SEA89FA122: Douglas DC-3C, N8042X, Petersburg, AK, June 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1989, 11:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, AK
- Coordinates: 57.050968, -132.620101 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.0510&lon=-132.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA122

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO DITCH THE AIRCRAFT WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN FLOWN BACK TO THE AIRPORT USING THE RIGHT SEAT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE FAILURE & SEPARATION OF A PORTION OF THE RIGHT AILERON FABRIC, AND THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE CONTROL WHEEL WHICH RESULTED IN OVERSTRESSING THE AILERON CONTROL CHAIN.

## 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,aileron surface - separation (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - overload (contributing factor)
  - aileron - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - disabled (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TKOF AT 200-300 FT AGL, A PORTION OF FABRIC SEPD FROM THE R AILERON. WHILE MANEUVERING THE ACFT THE PLT'S CONTROL WHEEL BECAME FREE, AND HE ELECTED TO DITCH USING FULL RUDDER & DIFFERENTIAL POWER. EXAM OF THE PLT'S CONTROL WHEEL AILERON CONTROL CHAIN REVEALED THAT THE CHAIN FAILED DUE TO OVERLOAD. THE RIGHT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A MECHANIC EMPLOYED BY THE OPERATOR AND HELD A PRIVATE PLT CERT WITH SINGLE & MULTIENGINE RATING. HE STATED THAT HE SUGGESTED TO THE PLT THAT HIS CONTROLS WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY, BUT THE PLT DISAGREED & PROCEEDED TO DITCH THE ACFT. EXAM OF THE RIGHT CONTROL YOKE REVEALED AILERON MOVEMENT IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8042X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8042X-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 19041, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3C
- Registry model: [Douglas C-47](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c-47) (registry code 3021461) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19041
- Airframe hours: 10762
- Engines: P&W R-1830-94 1350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: California Air Tours, Inc, doing business as Air Grand Canyon Yosemite
- Registered owner: California Air Tours, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 23, 1989, 7 hours before
- Departed: PSG, PETERSBURG, AK
- Destination: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: PSG, Petersburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 9,300 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSG, 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 19890626017629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890626017629A), Jun 26, 1989: Doug DC3C, Petersburg, AK, Substantial damage. Aileron left yoke control chain broke on climbout. Ditched aircraft.

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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