SAIB ACE-98-25

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION SERVICE 800 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, S.W.

WASHINGTON, DC 20591

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

No. ACE-98-25 February 27, 1998

Published by: FAA, AFS-610, P.O. Box 26460, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 This is issued for informational purposes only and any recommendation for corrective action is not mandatory.

Introduction The purpose of this Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is to advise owners and operators of SOCATA Model TB-20 airplanes of the need to be aware of control anomalies that may occur due to ground damage.

Background The Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Ce rtification Service, of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reviewed inform ation concerning the crash of a SOCATA Trinidad TB-20 airplane on January 19, 1997. Th e horizontal elevator hinge levers were determined to have been bent before the accident. The control lock was engaged while the airplane was on the ground previous to the accident. Subse quent evaluation has determined that the most likely cause of the damage was the overloading on the elevator hinge levers by jet blast impinging on the horizontal elevator while the airplane was parked.

Recommendations Do not park the airplane, in a pos ition or location where jet blast, even from small jet aircraft, may strike the airplane from behind or from the side.

If the airplane is parked in an area near jet opera tions, include in the preflight inspection a check of the horizontal control levers to ensure that they are not bent.

If the control range and movement check prior to f light is abnormal, check the elevator hinge levers for bending.

If the elevator hinges appear bent, do not attempt to fly the airplane.

For Further Information Contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Pr oject Support Branch (ACE-112), Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, telephone (816) 426-6932.