Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 2 September 1959
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46F Commando
Owner/operator: Aaxico Airlines
Registration Number: N5140B
Location: Abiline-Dyess AFB, TX –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Elevator control system.Elevator control system.
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A Aaxico Curtiss C-46 experienced an emergency landing due to loss of elevator control near Abilene. The crew initiated a GCA assisted emergency approach to Dyess AFB using power and trim for pitch control, but the aircraft subsequently experienced porpoising and stalled, resulting in a crash at an angle exceeding 45 degrees. The probable cause was identified as a loss of elevator control stemming from an improperly secured bolt.A Aaxico Curtiss C-46 experienced an emergency landing due to loss of elevator control near Abilene. The crew initiated a GCA assisted emergency approach to Dyess AFB using power and trim for pitch control, but the aircraft subsequently experienced porpoising and stalled, resulting in a crash at an angle exceeding 45 degrees. The probable cause was identified as a loss of elevator control stemming from an improperly secured bolt.
Description
The Aaxico Curtiss C-46 was flying en route near Abilene when elevator control was lost. An emergency was declared and the crew carried out a GCA assisted emergency approach to Dyess AFB using power and trim for pitch control. The aircraft touched down safely but started to porpoise. The crew applied full power and the aircraft climbed steeply to a height of 150-200 feet. The plane then stalled, pitched down and crashed on the runway at an angle exceeding 45 degrees. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was loss of elevator control because of an improperly secured bolt, a condition which was undetected because of an inadequate inspection.”
Primary Cause
Loss of elevator control due to an improperly secured bolt.Loss of elevator control due to an improperly secured bolt.Share on:
