Flap system failure leading to loss of control involving Cessna 208, VH-WZJ

inspection discovered a loose flap bell crank retaining bolt. The Cessna 208B Flap System The operator provided the following information (modified by the ATSB). The Cessna 208B flap system is comprised of both mechanical and electrical components. The cockpit flap control selection lever, operated by the pilot, provides input to the flap switch actuator, which controls the primary flap motor. Allowing the pilot to select any flap position between 0 and 30 degrees, with detents at UP, 10, 20 and FULL down settings. The flap actuator assembly drives a bell crank, through a series of pushrods, connecting rods, interconnecting rods, and other bell cranks. In the event that the primary flap system fails, there is an independent standby switch and motor. Figure 1: VH-WZJ inboard aft flap bell crank assembly Source: Operator, modified by the ATSB Operator report The operator conducted both a ‘hard / overweight landing’ inspection and a ‘severe air turbulence or severe manoeuvres’ inspection after the incident. The operator also sought maintenance guidance from the aircraft manufacturer. › 3 ‹ ATSB – AO-2015-133 The operator advised that a flap bolt had come loose allowing the lower part of the rear aft bell crank to move free. An inspection indicated that the pivot bolt may not have been lubricated for a long period of time. The aft bell crank as referenced to in (Figure 2) showed that the assembly is secured into location with a single bolt securing into an anchor nut assembly on the bottom. According to the operator, there was no secondary locking system. Figure 2: Diagram showing the location of the left wing flap inboard aft bell crank assembly Source: Cessna 208 illustrated parts catalogue, modified by the ATSB Manufacturer’s (Cessna) recommended maintenance schedule Reference was made to the Cessna 208 maintenance manual (maintenance manual), chapter 27- 50-01 ‘removal and installation procedures' for this component. However, the instructions did not include a recommended torque setting for any hardware in the flap system. Engineers were required to reference a torque setting in chapter 20 of the maintenance manual – the ‘standard practices’ section. The procedures also advised on the requirement for Loctite 242 to be applied to the component. As a safety measure, the operator checked all other Cessna Caravan aircraft in the fleet. All were found to have the hardware in the flap system correctly torqued. Independent audit An independent audit of the operator’s maintenance system did not find any anomalies. All maintenance, relevant airworthiness directives (AD’s) and Cessna service bulletins (SB) had been correctly complied with. All upcoming inspections were also correctly scheduled. › 4 ‹ ATSB – AO-2015-133 The independent audit noted that there was no maintenance error. However, the audit concluded that there was a causal combination of both the design of the part, and the limitations of the maintenance schedule instructions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Service Difficulty Report (SDR) system The ATSB contacted CASA and requested information regarding reports of any similar occurrences to Cessna 208B aircraft. CASA advised that there have been no similar flap hardware failures reported on these aircraft in the last five years (involving Australian aircraft). Pilot experience and comments The pilot has in excess of 4,000 hours flying Cessna 208 aircraft. Once the left flap mechanism had failed, the aircraft was unresponsive to any control input, and it felt like being in a massive crosswind from the right. The right wing was generating a large amount of lift. The pilot was not aware of the asymmetric flap situation until sometime after landing. The flap indicator had travelled to 30°, so there had been no reason to doubt it. The pilot suspects that with the right flap extended to 30°, the dynamic pressure generated by the propeller wash must have pushed the broken left flap back up close to the zero flap position, resulting in the asymmetric flap situation. Safety action Whether or not the ATSB identifies safety issues in the course of an investigation, relevant organisations may proactively initiate safety action in order to reduce their safety risk. The ATSB has been advised of the following proactive safety action in response to this occurrence. West wing Aviation As a result of this occurrence, West Wing Aviation has advised the ATSB that they are taking the following safety actions: Type of safety action The reason for the pivot bolt working loose could not be established. However, as a preventative measure the operators approved Maintenance Program has been amended. This amendment included new maintenance actions and new replacement intervals for the affected bell crank, that are additional to the maintenance requirements in the Cessna maintenance schedule tasks. This included life limits similar to those mandated by Cessna for the primary flap bell crank assembly and replacement at 10,000 landings for: • bearings fitted to all four aft flap bell cranks • bearings fitted to the left inboard forward flap bell crank • all four aft flap bell crank attaching parts and bolts • left inboard forward flap bell crank attaching parts and bolt. › 5 ‹ ATSB – AO-2015-133 General details Occurrence details Date and time: 10 November 2015, 1300 EST Occurrence category: Serious incident Primary occurrence type: Technical systems – flight controls - flaps Location: Townsville Airport, Queensland Latitude: 19° 15.15’ S Longitude: 146° 45.92’ E Aircraft details Manufacturer and model: Cessna Aircraft Company 208B Registration: VH-WZJ Operator: West Wing Aviation Serial number: 208B1108 Type of operation: Air Transport Low Capacity - Passenger Persons on board: Crew – 1 Passengers - 8 Injuries: Crew – 0 Passengers - 0 Damage to aircraft: Nil About the ATSB The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an independent Commonwealth Government statutory agency. The ATSB is governed by a Commission and is entirely separate from transport regulators, policy makers and service providers. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport through excellence in: independent investigation of transport accidents and other safety occurrences; safety data recording, analysis and research; and fostering safety awareness, knowledge and action. The ATSB is responsible for investigating accidents and other transport safety matters involving civil aviation, marine and rail operations in Australia that fall within Commonwealth jurisdiction, as well as participating in overseas investigations involving Australian registered aircraft and ships. A primary concern is the safety of commercial transport, with particular regard to operations involving the travelling public. The ATSB performs its functions in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and Regulations and, where applicable, relevant international agreements. The object of a safety investigation is to identify and reduce safety-related risk. ATSB investigations determine and communicate the safety factors related to the transport safety matter being investigated. It is not a function of the ATSB to apportion blame or determine liability. At the same time, an investigation report must include factual material of sufficient weight to support the analysis and findings. At all times the ATSB endeavours to balance the use of material that could imply adverse comment with the need to properly explain what happened, and why, in a fair and unbiased manner. About this report Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, a limited-scope, fact-gathering investigation was conducted in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions. › 6 ‹ ATSB – AO-2015-133