Service difficulty report · Servo Tab · Dhav DHC3

Difficulty date
October 13, 1997
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Dhav DHC3
Engine
Pwa PT6A135
Part
Servo Tab
Part number
C3TE1312
Condition
Broken
Location
Elev
Component
Dhav · C3TE1106
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
F, E
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) IN CRUISE WHEN PILOT NOTED VIBRATION WITH CONTROL STICK. VIBRATION BECAME MORE VIOLENT AND HE SLOWED AIRCRAFT. VIBRATION DID NOT GO AWAY, BUT WAS LESS VIOLENT. AIRCRAFT LANDED OK. IT APPEARS THAT THE ARM THAT CONNECTS TO CONTROL ROD BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SERVO TAB ALLOWING THE TAB TO FLAP VIOLENTLY. IT THEN BROKE INTO PIECES. THE ELEVATOR INTERMEDIATE SPAR BROKE IN 4 PIECES. THE TOP SKIN STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM REAR TAB HINGE SPAR AND INTERMEDIATE SPAR. SUBMITTER NOTES THAT IF FLIGHT HAD CONTINUED MUCH LONGER THE ELEVATOR WOULD HAVE COME COMPLETELY APART.