Gardan GY20 Minicab ZK-DAG, in-flight structural failure, Wainui Forest 12 nm SE of Taupo Airport, 24 April 1991
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
91-012
The aircraft suffered an in-flight structural failure due to flutter of the tail surfaces originating at the elevator trim tab.
No conclusive reason could be established for the aircraft's speed increasing to the extent that flutter would ensue but defects in the trim control system and a rudder modification rendered ZK-DAG susceptible to flutter at a lower airspeed than other aircraft of the same type. Safety recommendations were made to the Amateur Aircraft Constructors' Association in respect of construction techniques; and to the Meteorological Office and the Minister of Transport, in regard to the standard of weather forecasts available to general aviation pilots.
No conclusive reason could be established for the aircraft's speed increasing to the extent that flutter would ensue but defects in the trim control system and a rudder modification rendered ZK-DAG susceptible to flutter at a lower airspeed than other aircraft of the same type. Safety recommendations were made to the Amateur Aircraft Constructors' Association in respect of construction techniques; and to the Meteorological Office and the Minister of Transport, in regard to the standard of weather forecasts available to general aviation pilots.
Location
Wainui Forest, 12nm SE of Taupo Aerodrome (-38.916615,176.216669) [may be approximate]