Incident Overview

Date: Friday 10 February 1978
Aircraft Type: Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Owner/operator: Columbia Pacific Airlines
Registration Number: N199EA
Location: 0,5 km N of Richland Airport, WA (RLD) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 17
Component Affected: Flightcrew control system, specifically the stabilizer trim actuator and the aircraft’s trim system.Flightcrew control system, specifically the stabilizer trim actuator and the aircraft’s trim system.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An aircraft experienced a catastrophic accident during a takeoff and initial climb. The aircraft rapidly ascended, then abruptly turned left and descended sharply, culminating in a crash landing 1669 feet from the runway end. The accident was caused by a combination of factors, including a pilot error ? specifically, a rapid and uncontrolled pitchup and stall ? stemming from a misaligned stabilizer, a compromised trim system, and inadequate pilot training and maintenance procedures. The malfunctioning stabilizer trim actuator exacerbated the situation.An aircraft experienced a catastrophic accident during a takeoff and initial climb. The aircraft rapidly ascended, then abruptly turned left and descended sharply, culminating in a crash landing 1669 feet from the runway end. The accident was caused by a combination of factors, including a pilot error ? specifically, a rapid and uncontrolled pitchup and stall ? stemming from a misaligned stabilizer, a compromised trim system, and inadequate pilot training and maintenance procedures. The malfunctioning stabilizer trim actuator exacerbated the situation.

Description

The aircraft lifted off at a point of 1173 feet-1486 feet down runway 36 and was then seen to begin a steep climb at an angle of 20-45deg. to 300 feet-400 feet height. The plane then turned left and descended nose-down at a flightpath angle of about 45deg. until it struck the ground 1669 feet past the runway end and caught fire. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The failure and inability of the flightcrew to prevent rapid pitchup and stall by exerting sufficient push force on the control wheel. The pitchup was induced by the combination of a mistrimmed horizontal stabilizer and a center of gravity near the aircraft’s aft limit. The mistrimmed condition resulted from discrepancies in the aircraft’s trim system and the flightcrew’s probable preoccupation with making a timely departure. Additionally a, malfunctioning stabilizer trim actuator detracted from the flightcrew’s efforts to prevent the stall. Contributing to the accident were inadequate flightcrew training, inadequate trim warning system check procedures, inadequate maintenance procedures, and ineffective FAA surveillance.”

Primary Cause

Rapid pitchup and stall induced by a misaligned stabilizer and center of gravity, exacerbated by pilot error and inadequate trim system.Rapid pitchup and stall induced by a misaligned stabilizer and center of gravity, exacerbated by pilot error and inadequate trim system.

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