ASN Aircraft accident Grumman G-73 Mallard N604SS Christiansted, St Croix
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Tuesday 28 October 1986
Time:09:15
Type:Silhouette image of generic G73 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Grumman G-73 Mallard
Operator:Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle
Registration: N604SS
MSN: J-4
First flight: 1946
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 13
Total:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 15
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:off Christiansted, St Croix (   U.S. Virgin Islands)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Christiansted Harbor SPB, Saint Croix (SSB), U.S. Virgin Islands
Destination airport:Saint Thomas Island SPB (SPB), U.S. Virgin Islands
Narrative:
The pilots lost aileron control shortly after takeoff while in a left turn. The left turning tendencies of the aircraft could not be corrected and the aircraft crash landed in the Caribbean Sea. Post crash inspection of the aircraft revealed the left aileron control cable was trapped within a bundle of electrical wires and cables. This occurred when an electrical cable from a reverse current relay in the right wing to the main junction box in the left cabin area at the center wing was changed and secured. The aileron cable chafed through the protective cover of the large electrical cable. When contact was made with the metal electrical cable the aileron cable arched at several points and separated at two different points causing a loss of aileron control.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSES:
electrical system,electric wiring..incorrect
aircraft handling..not possible..pilot in command
maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment..improper..company maintenance personnel
electrical system,electric wiring..chafed
electrical system,electric wiring..arcing
flt control syst,aileron control..separation
flt control syst,aileron control..loss,total

Classification:
Wrong installation of parts
Aileron issue
Loss of control

Sources:
» NTSB


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This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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