PA34 pilot had a broken elevator trim cable on approach.

Attributes
ACN	535493
Time
Date	200201
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : apa.airport
State Reference	CO
Altitude	msl single value : 6800
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : apa.tower tower : mkl.tower
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-34-200T Turbo Seneca II
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : multi engine pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 41 flight time total : 355 flight time type : 33.7
ASRS Report	535493
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical maintenance problem : improper maintenance non adherence : published procedure non adherence : far other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : provided flight assist flight crew : landed as precaution flight crew : overcame equipment problem none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	other
Factors
Maintenance	performance deficiency : inspection performance deficiency : non compliance with legal requirements performance deficiency : scheduled maintenance
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Maintenance Human Performance Aircraft
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

Entered downwind leg for runway 17L at apa. Adjusting trim for elevator and noticed trim cable not operating correctly. Looked down and saw that cable was broken. Notified centennial tower on 118.90 of our situation. Told them everything was under control and that I felt I could land the plane without incident, however, I might use more runway on landing. Centennial acknowledged, asked if we needed more assistance. I responded negative. Landing was made without mishap. After landing, cable for trim was replaced. Old cable apparently frayed and broke.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA34 PLT HAD A BROKEN ELEVATOR TRIM CABLE ON APCH.

Narrative: ENTERED DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 17L AT APA. ADJUSTING TRIM FOR ELEVATOR AND NOTICED TRIM CABLE NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT CABLE WAS BROKEN. NOTIFIED CENTENNIAL TWR ON 118.90 OF OUR SIT. TOLD THEM EVERYTHING WAS UNDER CTL AND THAT I FELT I COULD LAND THE PLANE WITHOUT INCIDENT, HOWEVER, I MIGHT USE MORE RWY ON LNDG. CENTENNIAL ACKNOWLEDGED, ASKED IF WE NEEDED MORE ASSISTANCE. I RESPONDED NEGATIVE. LNDG WAS MADE WITHOUT MISHAP. AFTER LNDG, CABLE FOR TRIM WAS REPLACED. OLD CABLE APPARENTLY FRAYED AND BROKE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.