ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-130 N14212 Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR)

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Incident description

Last updated: 21 May 2013

Status:	Final
Date:	15 MAR 1993
Time:	09:20
Type:	Boeing 737-130
Operator:	Continental Air Lines
Registration:	N14212
C/n / msn:	19029/108
First flight:	1968-12-07 (24 years 3 months)
Total airframe hrs:	58997
Engines:	2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7A
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 57
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 61
Airplane damage:	Minor
Airplane fate:	Repaired
Location:	Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR) (United States of America)
Phase:	Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:	Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR), United States of America
Destination airport:	Greensboro/High Point-Piedmont Triad International Airport, NC (GSO/KGSO), United States of America
Flightnumber:	1659

Narrative:
Continental Flight 1659 experienced a loss of control of the left aileron while departing from Newark. The captain stated that the airplane rolled to the left as soon as it became airborne. Considerable difficulty was experienced controlling the airplane, but when the flaps were retracted and full right aileron was applied, control was maintained with less difficulty. An in-flight visual inspection of the left aileron panel revealed the panel in the full up position. The crew elected to return to Newark. The captain reported that control became increasingly difficult during the approach to land when the flaps were extended from 15 degrees to 30 degrees. The captain said he used 30 degrees of flaps because of ice and snow on the runway at Newark. The captain reported that just before touchdown he needed full right aileron and a significant amount of left rudder to keep the airplane lined up with the runway. The airplane was landed without further incident, and none of the occupants were injured.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Inadequate maintenance/inspection by company maintenance personnel, the manufacturer's inadequate inspection and/or replacement procedures for the aileron cables, and subsequent failure of the 'down' aileron control cable due to wear."

Sources:
» NTSB

Follow-up / safety actions

NTSB issued 3 Safety Recommendations

Show all AD's and Safety Recommendations

Photos

Map

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Newark International Airport, NJ to Greensboro/High Point-Piedmont Triad International Airport, NC as the crow flies is 712 km (445 miles).

languages:

Issued: 10-MAR-1994	To: FAA	A-94-064
ISSUE AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD) TO OPERATORS OF BOEING 727 AND 737 AIRPLANES REQUIRING PERIODIC INSPECTION OF THE AILERON CABLES FOR BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEAR, AND FOR BROKEN WIRES, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE AREA OF THE CABLE CONTACTING THE PULLEYS. THE INSPECTION SHOULD INCLUDE RELEASING CABLE TENSION TO BETTER DETECT CABLE WEAR AND WIRE BREAKAGE AND ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE REDUCTION IN CABLE DIAMETER WHERE PULLEY CONTACT OCCURS. BASED ON THE INSPECTIONS, DEVELOP SPECIFIC FLIGHT HOUR INTERVALS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CABLES. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action)
Issued: 10-MAR-1994	To: FAA	A-94-065
REQUIRE THAT THE BOEING COMPANY EXAMINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF A 737-100 AILERON CABLE FAILURE, AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE FLIGHTCREW OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR THE BEST LANDING CONFIGURATION IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A FAILURE. (Closed - Acceptable Action)
Issued: 10-MAR-1994	To: FAA	A-94-066
CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FREQUENCY OF SPOILER, RUDDER, AND AILERON CABLE FAILURES ON AIRPLANES WEIGHING 12,500 POUNDS OR GREATER. WHERE THE STUDY REVEALS FLIGHT CONTROL INSPECTION PROCEDURES TO BE INADEQUATE, REQUIRE APPROPRIATE REVISIONS TO THOSE INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND/OR ISSUE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES TO MANDATE SERVICE LIFE LIMITS TO ASSURE GREATER RELIABILITY OF THOSE CONTROL CABLES. (Closed - Acceptable Action)