An American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83, registration N966TW performing flight AA-1027 from Chicago O’Hare,IL to Orlando,FL (USA) with 139 people on board, was on final approach to Orlando’s runway 18R when the crew went around and declared emergency reporting a “flight control malfunction”. The aircraft climbed initially to 2000 feet, later 5000 feet, the crew advised the landing would be normal, they however needed ILS runway 18R without any restriction. The aircraft positioned for the ILS approach runway 18R, landed safely on runway 18R about 25 minutes after the go-around and taxied to the apron.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 24 hours, then ferried to Chicago. The aircraft resumed service about 33 hours after landing in Orlando.
The Aviation Herald learned that the stab trim stopped responding to pilot inputs just after the flaps were selected to 40 degrees, the stab trim became stuck at 6 degrees nose up, did not respond to any inputs via the stab trim switches or manual trim wheel inputs. The crew went around, reduced the flaps at which point the stab trim became responsive again. The aircraft positioned for another approach, selected flaps 40 again and the stab trim ceased responding to pilot inputs again. The crew continued for landing. Maintenance replaced the alternate stab trim motor.
The Aviation Herald
AA-1027 has stap trim malfunction
