South Aero, Inc.
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
Operated by South Aero Inc (per NTSB report)
The failure of the landing gear system for undetermined reasons.
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.
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.
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).
Part: LANDING GEAR — FAILED
PILOT UNABLE TO EXTEND LANDING GEAR HYD AND EMERGENCY EXTENTION ALSO FAILED. CAUSE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
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)
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)
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)
Part: DISTRIBUTOR GEAR — STRIPPED (MAGNETO)
ENROUTE, RAN ROUGH, LANDED. RUNUP FOUND RT MAGNETO ROUGH AND EXCESSIVE DROP. (SW01200603304) (K)
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)
Part: CONTROL CABLE — WORN (AILERON)
WEAR FROM BLENDING DUE TO SOFTER MATERIAL USED IN NEW STYLE CABLE.
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)
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)
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)
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)
Part: LINE — CORRODED (HYD SYSTEM)
FAILED HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CHECK. LINE LAYING ON DUCTING FOR HEATING CAUSING CORROSION TO FORM. (SW01200502894) (K)
Part: LINE — CRACKED (HYD SYSTEM)
PILOT PRE-FLIGHT, HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR LOW. MAINTENANCE PRESSURE CHECKED SYSTEM, FOUND NR 6 PRESSURE LINE CRACKED AT BEND RADIUS.
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.
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.
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.
Part: WASTEGATE VALVE — WARPED (TURBOCHARGER)
FOUND WASTEGATE BUTTERFLY VALVE WARPED, DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION.
Part: INDICATOR — DEFECTIVE (COCKPIT)
DURING TAXI, AFTER LANDING, PILOT NOTICED FUEL IN BOTTOM OF FIVE FLOW INDICATOR.
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.
Part: BLOWER MOTOR — FAILED (HEATER)
PILOT REPORTED HEATER QUIT WORKING. TROUBLESHOOT HEATER ASSEMBLY FOUND COMBUSTION AIR BLOWER MOTOR TURNING VERY SLOWLY.
Part: PUMP — ERRATIC (ENGINE)
ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP - FUEL PUMP ERRATIC ON UNMETERED FUEL PRESSURES.
Part: CONTROL CABLE — INOPERATIVE (LT AFT AILERON)
LEFT HAND AFT AILERON CABLE. PN 5815103-26CR ( BLENDED )
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.
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.
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.
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.
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N108AN | CESSNA 208B | — | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N165SA | CESSNA 404 | 1980 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N208TR | CESSNA 208B | 2005 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N22054 | FIREFLY BALLOONS INC FIREFLY 7-15 | 2004 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N29AN | CESSNA 208B | 1999 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N327WL | CESSNA 208B | 1996 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N42MG | CESSNA 402C | — | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N458PT | CESSNA 208B | 2004 | 17 | Matched by certificate designator |
| N5388J | CESSNA 404 | 1980 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N54ZP | CESSNA 404 | 1980 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N5802C | BEECH C35 | 1951 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N588PS | CESSNA 208B | 1996 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N795J | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2019 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N809RQ | CESSNA 404 | 1981 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N920RC | CESSNA 404 | 1977 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N97XX | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2020 | Valid Registration | Matched 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)