Aerospatiale TB-20 N2803A

Summary

On 18 January 1997 at about 21:35 local time, a Aerospatiale TB-20 registered N2803A was involved in an accident near University Park, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 January 1997 at 21:35

Classification

Accident

Location

University Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

University Park (UNV)

Coordinates

40.8004, -77.8600

Aircraft

Aerospatiale TB-20

Registration

N2803A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Wilmington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

IAD97LA044

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inability to control the airplane due to a damaged/bent elevator control lever and resultant lack of elevator authority.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during preflight, the elevator controls 'seemed normal with full travel forward and aft.' After takeoff, the pilot noticed that he could not maintain normal takeoff pitch attitude. The airplane continued an excessive climb rate out of his control, even with full forward yoke. The pilot stated that to control the airplane, power adjustments were needed to keep the nose down. He maneuvered to land on the airport; however, on final approach to land, the airplane stalled just above the runway numbers. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed bending of the elevator control lever due to overload from an undetermined source.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.