SERS · PIPER PA-31-350 · 1990-02-21 · GREELEY, CO, USA
Event
NTSB number
DEN90FA066
Event ID
20001212X22543
Type
Accident
Date
1990-02-21
Location
GREELEY, CO, USA
Coordinates
40.44028, -104.67012
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
2
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
PIPER
Model
PA-31-350
Registration
N3554P
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
THE IMPROPER IDENTIFICATION OF PARTS IN THE PIPER PA-31-350 SERVICE MANUAL PERTAINING TO THE AILERON CABLES. THIS DISCREPANCY RESULTED IN THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE AILERON CABLES ON THE RIGHT AILERON BELLCRANK BY A MECHANIC DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE RIGHT WING. THE IMPROPER CONNECTION RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM BY A SECOND MECHANIC WITH INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION, AND THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.