N7391U

On December 4, 2004, about 1145 eastern standard time, a Fairchild-Heliporter Pilatus PC6/B2-H2, N7391U, sustained minor damage during climb from Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross Keys, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and eight passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local commercial skydive flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that the airplane departed on runway 27, with eight skydivers. About 5 minutes after takeoff, the left elevator partially separated, and fluttered for about 15-20 seconds. During that time, the pilot had difficulty controlling the airplane. The left elevator then completely separated, and the pilot regained control of the airplane. The pilot flew over the airport, and instructed the skydivers to jump. After the skydivers were out of the airplane, the pilot performed an uneventful landing on runway 27.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left elevator separated about the mid-point of the horizontal stabilizer. The left elevator was attached to a bellcrank, secured by two 3/8-inch bolts. The bolts and elevator were not recovered.

The airplane had been operated about 20 hours since its last 100-hour inspection, which was completed on October 8, 2004.

A review of the FAA Service Difficulty Report database did not reveal any prior similar events with the make and model airplane. However, after the incident, the pilot filed a Service Difficulty Report.