NTSB Factual Report

On December 11, 2014, about 2100 central standard time, a Dassault Fan Jet Falcon, N827AA, experienced a flight control malfunction while on approach to Shreveport Regional Airport (KSHV), Shreveport, Louisiana. The pilot and co pilot were not injured. The airplane was not damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by USA Jet Airlines under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as a non-scheduled international flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from Hamilton (CYHM) Ontario, Canada, about 1925 eastern standard time.

According to the operator, the co pilot was flying a visual approach to runway 14. After the autopilot disengaged, the copilot flew the airplane from 2,000 feet above ground level (agl) to 20 feet agl using "more aft pressure than normal." The copilot stated that below 20 feet agl and into the landing flare, the yoke hit the aft stop. The airplane landed without incident.

Following the landing, a post flight examination revealed that the elevator trim was in the full nose down position and could not be returned to the takeoff or neutral position. The flight crew used the emergency trim to move the trim to the takeoff position. After the trim circuit breaker was reengaged, the elevator trim moved back to the full nose down position.

Examination of the trim system found wire 1CF21E20 shorted between terminal junction 3/18 and terminal junction 3/21. This short resulted in power at terminal junction 3/21 regardless of the position of the trim switch on the captains control. Further examination also found the connector at terminal junction 106 shorted. The wires and connectors were removed and replaced and the trim anomaly was resolved.

NTSB Probable Cause

A short in the trim system’s wires and connector, which resulted in the elevator trim being in a full nose-down position.