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A pilot instructor reports having to take control of a storm aircraft during student pilot training when the aircraft developed a severe shake in the tail section which could be felt in the stick. The elevator had fluttered severely and the trim tab had disconnected. Of the three hinges attaching the elevator; the outboard hinge had failed and the center hinge was near failure.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 872671 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201001 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Light Sport Aircraft |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Elevator Trim System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Instructor |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 37 Flight Crew Total 3865 Flight Crew Type 17 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
While training a student pilot in a storm aircraft; doing basic right and left turns at 85 KTS IAS; the plane developed a severe shake in the tail section which could be felt in the stick. I took over from the student pilot; reduced power and attempted to unload the tail to stop the vibration. I then looked back and observed the elevator to be fluttering severely. It appeared the trim tab was disconnected. I established a zero thrust glide at 45-50 KTS and made a successful precautionary landing. Upon landing I observed the actuator arm had pulled loose from the trim tab via failure of the two rivets which attached the arm to the trim tab. I was later informed by the owner of the plane that the outside elevator hinge attach point had failed and the middle hinge attach point was near failure. I believe the hinge failures are a result of the flutter. I believe the flutter was caused by the trim tab failure. In my opinion; the actuator attach point to the trim tab is a poor design and should be investigated.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Pilot Instructor reports having to take control of a Storm Aircraft during student pilot training when the aircraft developed a severe shake in the tail section which could be felt in the stick. The elevator had fluttered severely and the trim tab had disconnected. Of the three hinges attaching the elevator; the outboard hinge had failed and the center hinge was near failure.
Narrative: While training a Student Pilot in a Storm aircraft; doing basic right and left turns at 85 KTS IAS; the plane developed a severe shake in the tail section which could be felt in the stick. I took over from the Student Pilot; reduced power and attempted to unload the tail to stop the vibration. I then looked back and observed the elevator to be fluttering severely. It appeared the trim tab was disconnected. I established a zero thrust glide at 45-50 KTS and made a successful precautionary landing. Upon landing I observed the actuator arm had pulled loose from the trim tab via failure of the two rivets which attached the arm to the trim tab. I was later informed by the owner of the plane that the outside elevator hinge attach point had failed and the middle hinge attach point was near failure. I believe the hinge failures are a result of the flutter. I believe the flutter was caused by the trim tab failure. In my opinion; the actuator attach point to the trim tab is a poor design and should be investigated.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.