South Aero, Inc.

Part 135 operator · designator GNBA

Data confidence: Records are linked by certificate number, aircraft registration, or a name match that a reviewer has confirmed. Each record below shows how it was linked.

Also recorded as: SOUTH AERO, INC., South Aero Inc, South Aero, Inc.

Accident & enforcement record

Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.

NTSB accidents & incidents

Accident · 2011-02-03 Operator named in NTSB report
CESSNA 402 (N5802C) No injuries Part 135

Operated by South Aero Inc (per NTSB report)

The failure of the landing gear system for undetermined reasons.

Source: NTSB case CEN11LA173
Accident · 1990-11-20 Operator named in NTSB report
CESSNA T210L (N22054) Serious injury Part 135

Operated by SOUTH AERO, INC. (per NTSB report)

AN INADVERTENT DESCENT INTO THE GROUND WHILE CONDUCTING A NON-PRECISION INSTRUMENT APPROACH, AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT FAILING TO STOP HIS DESCENT AT MDA. A FACTOR IS LOW VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG.

Source: NTSB case DEN91FA020

FAA enforcement actions

No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.

Maintenance disclosure history

Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.

Reports span 1996–2011. Most-reported systems: Flight controls (27) — 5; Landing gear (32) — 4; Ignition (74) — 4; Hydraulic power (29) — 3; ATA 81 — 3 (top 5 of 13 systems, covering 19 of 31 coded reports). Most-common natures of condition, as filed: OTHER — 26; FALSE WARNING — 1; FLUID LOSS — 1; PARTIAL RPM/PWR LOSS; WARNING INDICATION — 1; SMOKE/FUMES/ODORS/SPARKS — 1 (top 5 of 6 conditions, covering 30 of 31 coded reports).

31 reports on file.

OTHER · 2011-08-24 Matched by certificate designator
N57PB · ATA 5101

Part: WEB — CRACKED

CRACKS FOUND FOR/AFT AREA PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED IN MEB 84-12. REPAIR CONDUCTED IAW 8110-3 FAA APPROVED DATA, REF 135415A(14).

Source: SDR GNB2011F00001
OTHER · 2011-02-03 Matched by certificate designator
N5820C · ATA 3230

Part: LANDING GEAR — FAILED

PILOT UNABLE TO EXTEND LANDING GEAR HYD AND EMERGENCY EXTENTION ALSO FAILED. CAUSE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

Source: SDR GNB2011F00000
PARTIAL RPM/PWR LOSS; WARNING INDICATION · 2009-05-26 Matched by certificate designator
N5388J · ATA 8530

Part: SLEEVE — CRACKED (FUEL NOZZLE)

AFTER TAKEOFF, PILOT FELT ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. ACFT RETURNED TO FIELD. MX DISCOVERED NR 2 CYLINDER UPPER DECK NOZZLE TUBE CRACKED. POSSIBLE WEAK WELD OF OUTSIDE TUBE. RECOMMENDED CLOSER ATTENTION TO LEANING ON LINES WHEN WASHING ON ENGINE AND INSPECTING AREA`S AFTER MX. (K)

Source: SDR GNB2009F00000
OTHER · 2006-12-11 Matched by certificate designator
N747WS · ATA 3260

Part: SQUAT SWITCH — INTERMITTENT (LANDING GEAR)

PILOT SELECTED GEAR UP AFTER TAKEOFF. GEAR DID NOT RETRACT. PILOT SELECTED GEAR DOWN AND RETURNED FOR AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. SQUAT SWITCH INTERMITTENT. (K)

Source: SDR GNB2007F00000
OTHER · 2005-12-07 Matched by certificate designator
N57PB · ATA 7414

Part: DISTRIBUTOR GEAR — STRIPPED (MAGNETO)

ENROUTE LT ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, LANDED. RUN UP FOUND LT ENGINE MAGNETO ROUGH AND EXCESSIVE DROP. (SW01200603302) (K)

Source: SDR GNB2006F00002
OTHER · 2005-12-06 Matched by certificate designator
N4643N · ATA 7414

Part: DISTRIBUTOR GEAR — STRIPPED (MAGNETO)

ENROUTE, RAN ROUGH, LANDED. RUNUP FOUND RT MAGNETO ROUGH AND EXCESSIVE DROP. (SW01200603304) (K)

Source: SDR GNB2006F00000
OTHER · 2005-12-05 Matched by certificate designator
N747WS · ATA 7414

Part: DISTRIBUTOR GEAR — STRIPPED (MAGNETO)

PRE TAKEOFF RUNUP CHECKED GOOD. PULLED ONTO RUNWAY, APPLIED POWER, RT ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. ABORTED TAKEOFF. MAINTENANCE DISCOVERED 10-15 TEETH STRIPPED ON DISTRIBUTOR GEAR. VERY COLD TEMP, PROBABLE CAUSE. (SW01200603303) (K)

Source: SDR GNB2006F00001
OTHER · 2005-06-28 Matched by certificate designator
N3292M · ATA 2710

Part: CONTROL CABLE — WORN (AILERON)

WEAR FROM BLENDING DUE TO SOFTER MATERIAL USED IN NEW STYLE CABLE.

Source: SDR GNB2005F00005
OTHER · 2005-06-08 Matched by certificate designator
N494BC · ATA 8120

Part: VALVE — WARPED (WASTEGATE)

WARPED VALUE. (K)

Source: SDR GNB2005F00004
OTHER · 2005-05-25 Matched by certificate designator
N305AT · ATA 2700

Part: CONTROL CABLE — WORN (LT WNG)

CABLE BLENDED AT PULLEY. PROBABLE CAUSE, SOFTER NEW STYLE STAINLESS STEEL CABLE MATERIAL. SERVICE LIFE IS ONLY FRACTIONS OF OLD STYLE STEEL CABLES. (K)

Source: SDR GNB2005F00006
OTHER · 2005-04-11 Matched by certificate designator
N5388J · ATA 2730

Part: CONTROL CABLE — DAMAGED (LT ELEVATOR)

DURING INSPECTION, FOUND CABLE TO BE BLENDED AT FAIRLEAD APPROX 6 INCHES FROM AFT END OF CABLE. PROBABLE CAUSE FROM NEW STYLE (STAINLESS STEEL) CABLE. NEW STYLE LASTED ONLY FRACTION OF TIME AS OLD STYLE. (SW01200504154) (K)

Source: SDR 2005FA0000621
OTHER · 2005-04-03 Matched by certificate designator
N402SA · ATA 8520

Part: BOLT — SHEARED (CRANKSHAFT)

RT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. REMOVED RT STARTER ADAPTER. FOUND LARGE CRANKSHAFT GEAR NOT ATTACHED. FOUND ALL 6 ATTACH BOLTS SHEARED BUT CONNECTED TOGETHER WITH SAFETY WIRE. (SW01200503998) (K)

Source: SDR GNB2005F00001
OTHER · 2005-04-03 Matched by certificate designator
N3292M · ATA 3250

Part: CABLE — FRAYED (NOSE STEERING)

DURING INSPECTION, FOUND RT NOSE STEERING CABLE BLENDED AND FRAYED AT PULLEY. NEW MFG CABLES (STANLESS STEEL) LAST ONLY FRACTION OF TIME AS OLD STYLE CABLES. HAS BECOME MUCH MORE COMMON OCCURRANCE. (K)

Source: SDR GNB2005F00002
OTHER · 2005-01-11 Matched by certificate designator
N54ZP · ATA 2910

Part: LINE — CORRODED (HYD SYSTEM)

FAILED HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CHECK. LINE LAYING ON DUCTING FOR HEATING CAUSING CORROSION TO FORM. (SW01200502894) (K)

Source: SDR GNB2005F00003
OTHER · 2004-10-18 Matched by certificate designator
N402MQ · ATA 5100

Part: LINE — CRACKED

CRACKED PRESSURE LINE AT THE BEND. (SW01200502449) (K)

Source: SDR GNB2005F00000
FLUID LOSS · 2004-08-25 Matched by certificate designator
N26156 · ATA 2910

Part: LINE — CRACKED (HYD SYSTEM)

PILOT PRE-FLIGHT, HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR LOW. MAINTENANCE PRESSURE CHECKED SYSTEM, FOUND NR 6 PRESSURE LINE CRACKED AT BEND RADIUS.

Source: SDR GNB2004F00000
FALSE WARNING · 2004-08-04 Matched by certificate designator
N108AN · ATA 2612

Part: WARNING LIGHT — FALSE ACTIVATION (FIRE LOOP) · airframe 2,430 hrs · 2,435 cycles

ON TAKEOFF OUT OF BTR HAD ENGINE FIRE DETECT LIGHT COME ON, ABORTED TAKEOFF. MAINT CHECKED FOR BLEED AIR LEAKS, CHECKED FIRE LOOP FOR RUBBING NO DEFECTS NOTED, RAN AIRCRAFT AT FULL POWER COULD NOT DUPLICATE FIRE LIGHT.

Source: SDR 4018
OTHER · 2004-07-28 Matched by certificate designator
N402SA · ATA 7414

Part: BEARING — DESTROYED (MAGNETO)

DURING THE FIRST INITIAL 500 HOUR MAGNETO INSPECTION ON A FACTORY ENGINE. MAINTENANCE DISCOVERED AN ODD LOOKING LUBE ON BOTH MAGNETOS AND INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT IN WELL. THE LT MAGNETO BEARING LOOKED OK, HOWEVER, THE RT MAGNETO BEARING WAS UNUSABLE AND METAL TRANSFER WAS APPARENT. LUBRICANT TYPE, AND/OR LACK THEREOF, APPEARED TO BE THE CAUSE. PARTS BEING SENT TO MFG FOR EVALUATION.

Source: SDR GNB2004F00001
OTHER · 2003-10-08 Matched by certificate designator
N2713X · ATA 3040

Part: RELAY — FAILED (WINDSHIED HEAT)

PILOT TURNED ON HEATED WINDSCREEN PANEL. AFTER 3-4 MINUTES LIGHT STILL ON, BUBBLE APPEARED. RELAY STUCK IN CLOSED POSITION NOT ALLOWING A STANDARD CYCLE TIME.

Source: SDR GNB2003F00000
OTHER · 2002-10-10 Matched by certificate designator
N402MQ · ATA 8120

Part: WASTEGATE VALVE — WARPED (TURBOCHARGER)

FOUND WASTEGATE BUTTERFLY VALVE WARPED, DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION.

Source: SDR GNB2002F00003
OTHER · 2002-06-19 Matched by certificate designator
N402SA · ATA 7331

Part: INDICATOR — DEFECTIVE (COCKPIT)

DURING TAXI, AFTER LANDING, PILOT NOTICED FUEL IN BOTTOM OF FIVE FLOW INDICATOR.

Source: SDR GNB2002F00002
OTHER · 2002-05-30 Matched by certificate designator
N165SA · ATA 2720

Part: CONTROL CABLE — DAMAGED (RUDDER)

DURING FUSELAGE INSPECTION FORWARD LEFT RUDDER CABLE BLENDED WERE THE CABLE WEST THRU A RIB WHICH HAD A FANALIC BLOCK ON RIB FOR ANTI-CHAFE PROTECTION.

Source: SDR GNB2002F00001
OTHER · 2002-02-27 Matched by certificate designator
N525RH · ATA 2140

Part: BLOWER MOTOR — FAILED (HEATER)

PILOT REPORTED HEATER QUIT WORKING. TROUBLESHOOT HEATER ASSEMBLY FOUND COMBUSTION AIR BLOWER MOTOR TURNING VERY SLOWLY.

Source: SDR GNB2002F00000
OTHER · 2001-07-10 Matched by certificate designator
N525RH · ATA 8120

Part: WASTEGATE VALVE — FAILED (TURBOCHARGER)

UNABLE TO CONTROL MAIN PRESSURE.

Source: SDR GNB2001F00000
OTHER · 2001-07-10 Matched by certificate designator
N525RH · ATA 7314

Part: PUMP — ERRATIC (ENGINE)

ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP - FUEL PUMP ERRATIC ON UNMETERED FUEL PRESSURES.

Source: SDR GNB2001F00001
OTHER · 2001-06-11 Matched by certificate designator
N165SA · ATA 3210

Part: LINK — BENT (LINK ASSY DRAG)

LINK ASSEMBLY DRAG. PN 0842122-19

Source: SDR 2001FA0000061
OTHER · 2001-06-11 Matched by certificate designator
N165SA · ATA 2710

Part: CONTROL CABLE — INOPERATIVE (LT AFT AILERON)

LEFT HAND AFT AILERON CABLE. PN 5815103-26CR ( BLENDED )

Source: SDR 2001FA0000062
OTHER · 1999-06-16 Matched by certificate designator
N57PB · ATA 2910

Part: LINE — CRACKED (HYDRUALIC SYSTEM)

DURING A RETURN FLIGHT, LEFT AND RIGHT HYDRAULIC FLOW LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. CYCLED GEAR DOWN AND MADE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FOUND HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR EMPTY. PERFORMED HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CHECK AND FOUND L-H PRESSURE LINE, FROM THE FLOW SWITCH TO ELBOW, CRACKED IN THE BEND OF THE RADIUS. REPLACED WITH SERVICEABLE LINE. PRESSURE CHECKED AND CYCLED GEAR WITH NO FURTHER LEAKS NOTED.

Source: SDR 99ZZZX2507
VIBRATION/BUFFET; FLUID LOSS · 1998-03-01 Matched by certificate designator
N5388J · ATA 8520

Part: BOLT — FAILED (NR 6 INT ROCKER)

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, PILOT FELT MINOR SHAKE IN LT ENGINE. A VISUAL INSPECTION (IN-FLIGHT) REVEALED SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL STREAMING BACK. PILOT RETURNED TO AIRPORT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED NR 6 INTAKE ROCKER BOX HAD A HOLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. REPLACED BOLT, GROUND CHECK OK.

Source: SDR 98ZZZX1553
OTHER · 1997-01-31 Matched by certificate designator
N42MG · ATA 2822

Part: PUMP — FAILED (FUEL BOOST)

BOOST PUMP INOPERATIVE UPON TRYING TO PRIME ON INITIAL START OF THE DAY. INSTALLED OVERHAULED BOOST PUMP. OPS CHECKED OK.

Source: SDR 97ZZZX754
SMOKE/FUMES/ODORS/SPARKS · 1996-10-28 Matched by certificate designator
N747WS · ATA 3310

Part: POST LIGHT — SHORTED (COPILOT PANEL)

PILOT REPORTED SEEING A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM UNDER COPILOT'S INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SMELLING SOMETHING 'ELECTRICAL' BURNING. UPON INSPECTION, A POST LIGHT WAS FOUND SHORTED. NO CIRCUIT BREAKERS TRIPPED. A VERY THIN SPRING INSIDE THE SCREW ON CONNECTOR BURNED THROUGH AND STOPPED CURRENT FLOW. THIS SPRING APPEARS TO BE A CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE.

Source: SDR 96ZZZX5658

Linked aircraft

N-numberMake / modelYearStatusLink basis
N108ANCESSNA 208BValid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N165SACESSNA 4041980Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N208TRCESSNA 208B2005Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N22054FIREFLY BALLOONS INC FIREFLY 7-152004Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N29ANCESSNA 208B1999Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N327WLCESSNA 208B1996Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N42MGCESSNA 402CValid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N458PTCESSNA 208B200417Matched by certificate designator
N5388JCESSNA 4041980Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N54ZPCESSNA 4041980Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N5802CBEECH C351951Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N588PSCESSNA 208B1996Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N795JTEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B2019Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N809RQCESSNA 4041981Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N920RCCESSNA 4041977Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N97XXTEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B2020Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator

Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate

Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.

  • N57PB (CESSNA 402C) — records 1999–2011 · now operated by Hyannis Air Service Inc.
  • N5802C (BEECH C35) — records 2011 · registered to RACKHAM ALAN SCOTT (owner ≠ operator)
  • N5820C — records 2011 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N747WS (CESSNA 402C) — records 1996–2006 · now operated by Hyannis Air Service Inc.
  • N4643N — records 2005 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N3292M (CESSNA 402C) — records 2005 · now operated by Hyannis Air Service Inc.
  • N494BC (CESSNA 402C) — records 2005 · now operated by Hyannis Air Service Inc.
  • N305AT (AIR TRACTOR INC AT-504) — records 2005 · registered to AIRCRAFT TRUSTEE SERVICES INC TRUSTEE (owner ≠ operator)
  • N402SA (CESSNA 402C) — records 2002–2005 · registered to ALLY MOHAMED YACOOB (owner ≠ operator)
  • N402MQ — records 2002–2004 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N26156 (CESSNA 402C) — records 2004 · now operated by Hyannis Air Service Inc.
  • N2713X — records 2003 · no longer on the FAA registry
2 more aircraft
  • N525RH — records 2001–2002 · now operated by Hyannis Air Service Inc.
  • N22054 (FIREFLY BALLOONS INC FIREFLY 7-15) — records 1990 · registered to WILCZYNSKI JOHN J (owner ≠ operator)