NTSB CAROL · Event
Event CHI84IA197
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
WHILE CRUISING AT 7000 FT MSL, THE 1ST OFFICER WAS TRIMMING THE RUDDER, USING THE ROTARY SWITCH ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHEN HE FELT A 'SNAP' INSIDE THE SWITCH. AFTER THAT, THE SWITCH WOULD ROTATE FREELY BETWEEN THE STOPS. THE ACFT BEGAN YAWING LEFT & RIGHT UNTIL THE CREW PULLED THE APPROPRIATE CIRCUIT BREAKER TO DISABLE THE RUDDER TRIM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THEY LANDED WITH FULL RIGHT RUDDER TRIM. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT A CENTERING SPRING, P/N 42M4231137, WHICH LOADS THE SWITCH TO THE NEUTRAL/OFF POSITION HAD FAILED AT A FATIGUE CRACK. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1984_CHI84IA197.txt.
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