Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

Learn from Colorado's accident history to fly safer in the Rockies

2310 Total Accidents 425 Fatal 816 Fatalities 1982-2026
← Back to all accidents

GREELEY, Colorado

February 21, 1990 · NTSB DEN90FA066 · PIPER PA-31-350 (N3554P)
Serious Injury
Note: This analysis may be based on NTSB preliminary reports, which represent an initial, incomplete investigation. Facts can change as the investigation progresses, and preliminary findings should not be assumed to be accurate or final. For older events, a final NTSB report may have been issued β€” always consult the NTSB Aviation Query for the authoritative record.

NTSB Narrative

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.

Case Study & Lessons Learned

Generating educational case study...

Details

NTSB ReportDEN90FA066
AircraftPIPER PA-31-350
RegistrationN3554P
DamageDEST
FAR Part091
Location40.4403, -104.6701
Corporate Sponsor
Strike Flyers
Strike Flyers
All Classifieds Post an Ad