Canadair CL-600-2B19 incident near Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 8, 2003
On May 8, 2003 at about 4:28 pm local time, a Canadair CL-600-2B19, registered N829AS, was involved in an incident near Chattanooga, Tennessee (Lovell Field). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). No one was hurt; 21 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Excessive wear on the bushings and the right aileron inboard and outboard power control unit output link resulting in the upward movement of the right aileron during cruise climb, uncommanded right roll. A factor in the accident was inadequate maintenance inspection procedure by the aircraft manufacture for the aileron system backlash check performed by the operator. The inspection procedure did not require the operator to record the tolerance found during the backlash check.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 2003 · about 4:28 pm local time
- Place
- Chattanooga, Tennessee · Lovell Field · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 21 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Canadair CL-600-2B19 · all CL-600-2B19s on the register
- Registration
- N829AS · no longer on the register · serial 7232
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff the flight crew heard a high frequency vibration which could be felt in the feet and control column. The engine indicating and alerting system indicated no messages. The vibration was slow and increased in intensity and lasted about 30 seconds. The flight was cleared to 17,000 feet, and the airplane started an uncommanded roll to the right. The first officer disconnected the autopilot and regained control of the airplane. The captain declared an emergency, and was issued a clearance to an alternate airport. The vibrations continued at all airspeeds during the descent and landing. Examination of the airplane revealed the bushings and right aileron inboard and outboard power control unit output link were worn and exceeded the authorized tolerance allowed by the maintenance manual. The aircraft manufacturers inspection procedures for the aileron system backlash check did not require the operator to record the tolerance found during the backlash check.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,439 hours in all; 963 in this make and model; 229 in the last 90 days; 69 in the last 30 days; 3,079 as pilot in command; 422 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 17, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,446 hours in all; 1,027 in this make and model; 153 in the last 90 days; 86 in the last 30 days; 304 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 5, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,127 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 14, 2003; 131 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 53,250 lb
- Seats: 53
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: General Electric CF34-3BI (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: ATL Atlanta GA at 4:19 pm
- Destination: CYUL Montreal
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 20, 7,401 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from CHA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 18 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.