# N438MA: 1988 Fairchild SA227-AC, registration cancelled 2012-10-22

- Type: Cancelled registration (FAA registry, deregistered aircraft)
- Cancelled: October 22, 2012
- Exported to: Bolivia
- Status when cancelled: Sale reported
- Airframe: [Fairchild SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-sa227-ac) (registry code 3377509)
- Engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514)
- Data sheets: [TCDS A8SW](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A8SW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Serial number: AC-721B
- Year built: 1988
- Type of aircraft: Fixed wing multi engine
- Engine type: Turbo-prop
- Airworthiness: Standard, normal
- Airworthiness date: February 23, 1994
- Last registry action: October 19, 2012
- Mode S code: A541EA
- Location: [Xxx, OK](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OK/Xxx)
- Owner type: Individual
- The mark today: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N438MA
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=438MA
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N438MA-2012-10-22

From the FAA registry file of October 28, 2026, cancelled registrations. Owners' street addresses are left out. The Mode S code belongs to the N-number, not the airframe.

ADs and bulletins for the Fairchild SA227-AC: https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-sa227-ac.md

## Service difficulty reports (57, newest 50)

Matched to this aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model.

- [SDR YLX2011F00000](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/YLX2011F00000), Jan 6, 2011: COWLING. DEPARTED. AFTER TAKEOFF, ACFT LEVELED OUT AT APPROX 1800 FT, THE RT ENG UPPER COWLING DEPARTED THE ACFT DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSE. LOWER COWLING REMAINED IN PLACE.
- [SDR 2011F00013](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2011F00013), Jan 6, 2011: COWLING. DEPARTED. UPON REACHING 1800 FT ALTITUDE THE RT ENGINE UPPER COWL DEPARTED THE ACFT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE L/E OF THE RT WING AND UPPER WING SKIN. IN ADDITION THE UPPER I
- [SDR YLXA201072101](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/YLXA201072101), Jun 2, 2010: HYDRAULIC LINE. CHAFED. FOLLOWING DEPARTURE FROM TREASURE CAY BAHAMAS, THE CREW NOTED A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. THE CREW CONTINUED THE FLIGHT TO ITS DESTINATION, FORT LAUDERDAL
- [SDR 2006FA0000673](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2006FA0000673), Mar 16, 2006: BEARING. CORRODED. DUE TO CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATION. TEST RUN COMPLETED. TORQUE SYS CALIBRATION AND ALL REQUIRED FUNCTIONAL/LEAK CHECKS CARRIED OUT. NEW TORQUE DATA ISSUED. NTS TRIF
- [SDR LNX2005F00002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/LNX2005F00002), Nov 15, 2005: LINE. LOOSE. DURING INTIAL DEPARTURE CLIMB THE CREW OBSERVED A FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON THE LT ENGINE FIRE WARNING PANEL. EMERGENCY CHECKLIST COMPLETED TO INCLUDE 
- [SDR LNX2006F00000](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/LNX2006F00000), Nov 8, 2005: IMPELLER. CRACKED. RT ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO REACH TAKEOFF TARGET TORQUE. ENGINE WAS REMOVED AS A PRECAUTION AND SENT FOR TEARDOWN. ENGINEERING HAS DETERMINED CAUSE TO BE A CRACKED 
- [SDR LNX2005F00001](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/LNX2005F00001), Nov 8, 2005: ENGINE. UNKNOWN. AIRCRAFT WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL FOR DEPARTURE. THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO ACHIEVE TARGET TORQUE ON THE RT ENGINE AND ABORTED THE ROLL. CAUSE OF LOW TORQUE COULD NOT BE
- [SDR LNX2006F000AA](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/LNX2006F000AA), May 16, 2005: UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. DURING ENROUTE CRUISE FLIGHT, THE LT ENGINE CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CREW MONITORED AND FOUND NO ADDITIONAL DISCREPANCY. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO ITS
- [SDR LNX2004F00000](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/LNX2004F00000), Sep 19, 2004: DISPLAY. FAILED. DURING ENROUTE CRUISE FLIGHT, THE CREW NOTE SMOKE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE RADAR CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPED. THE FLIGHT DIVERTED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE RADAR 
- [SDR 99ZZZM36](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/99ZZZM36), Dec 30, 1998: BYPASS VALVE. INOPERATIVE. DURING TAKEOFF FROM POS, THE RIGHT ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TORQUE AND THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED. A STATIC RUN UP WAS COMPLIED WITH FOR BOTH ENGINES AND WAS S
- [SDR 98ZZZM812](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/98ZZZM812), Oct 5, 1998: HOOK. INOPERATIVE. AFTER TAKEOFF FROM OPF, THE NOSE GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT AND WAS BANGING AGAINST THE STOPS. THE CREW RECYCLED THE GEAR A FEW TIMES AND THE NOSE GEAR STILL WOULD 
- [SDR MALA975300](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA975300), Jan 25, 1997: FRAME. CRACKED. DURING BLOCK INSPECTION IN MSP, FOUND A .175 INCH CRACK IN THE LEFT LOWER BELT FRAME RELIEF RADIUS AT FS 227 (P/N 27-22093). COMPLETED REPAIR BY FABRICATING AND
- [SDR MALA975298](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA975298), Jan 24, 1997: FRAME. MISDRILLED. DURING BLOCK INSPECTION IN MSP, FOUND HOLES DRILLED INTO FLANGE RADIUS OF BELT FRAME AT FS 98.56 (3 HOLES WITH A MAX DIAMETER OF .125, 2 IN FRONT OF PILOT'S SEA
- [SDR MALA975278](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA975278), Jan 12, 1997: SWITCH. DIRTY. FLT 3230 - MSP - DURING LANDING, NOSE GEAR GREEN DOWN LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. RED INTRANSIT ILLUMINATED DURING BOTH RETRACTION AND EXTENSION. MAINTENANCE CL
- [SDR MALA965223](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965223), Nov 28, 1996: UPLIMIT SWITCH. OUT OF ADJUST. FLT 3491 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM MSP, THE NOSE GEAR CYCLED IN FLIGHT AFTER GEAR RETRACTION. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO STC WITHOUT INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE RERIGGED THE
- [SDR MALA965222](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965222), Nov 27, 1996: FLIGHT CONTROLS. BUFFETING. FLT 3090 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM MSP, THE CREW NOTED AN AERODYNAMIC BUFFETING EVERY 5 SECONDS IN AIRSPEED RANGES BETWEEN 160-230 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO MSP
- [SDR MALA965219](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965219), Nov 26, 1996: UPLIMIT SWITCH. OUT OF ADJUST. FLT 3416 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM DTW, THE NOSE GEAR CONTINUED TO CYCLED IN THE GEAR WELL AFTER GEAR RETRACTION. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO DTW. MAINTENANCE CLEANED AN
- [SDR MALA965157](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965157), Oct 3, 1996: RETRACT MECH. MALFUNCTIONED. FLT 3030- EN ROUTE TO DTW, THE NOSE GEAR BEGAN TO CYCLE IN THE GEAR WELL. THE CREW CYCLED THE GEAR AND THE GEAR REMAINED UP AND LOCKED. MAINTENANCE WAS UNABLE T
- [SDR MALA965099](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965099), Aug 16, 1996: CORNER. DENTED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, FOUND THE LOWER FORWARD PASSENGER DOOR FRAME CORNER TO BE DENTED. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LOWER FORWARD FUSELAGE PASSENGER
- [SDR MALA965098](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965098), Aug 16, 1996: DOOR FRAME. DENTED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, MAINTENANCE FOUND THE LOWER AFT PASSENGER DOOR FRAME CORNER ON THE FUSELAGE TO BE DENTED. REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY REPLACI
- [SDR MALA965097](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965097), Aug 16, 1996: ANGLE. DAMAGED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, A CRACK WAS NOTED IN THE LEFT INBOARD LOWER WING TO NACELLE SKIN PATCH. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LEFT INBOARD UPPER WING SK
- [SDR 96ZZZM1296](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/96ZZZM1296), Aug 16, 1996: ANGLE. DAMAGED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, A CRACK WAS NOTED IN THE LEFT INBOARD LOWER WING TO NACELLE SKIN PATCH. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LEFT INBOARD UPPER WING SK
- [SDR 96ZZZM1295](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/96ZZZM1295), Aug 16, 1996: STRINGER. DAMAGED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, A CRACK WAS NOTED IN THE LEFT INBOARD LOWER WING TO NACELLE SKIN PATCH. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LEFT INBOARD UPPER WING SK
- [SDR 96ZZZM1294](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/96ZZZM1294), Aug 16, 1996: FORMER. DAMAGED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, A CRACK WAS NOTED IN THE LEFT INBOARD LOWER WING TO NACELLE SKIN PATCH. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LEFT INBOARD UPPER WING SK
- [SDR MALA965013](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965013), May 30, 1996: ANGLE. CRACKED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE FOUND THE LEFT INBOARD LOWER WING TO NACELLE TRANSIT ANGLE CRACKED AT THE LEADING EDGE AREA. REPAIRS WERE COMP
- [SDR MALA965012](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965012), May 30, 1996: SKIN. CRACKED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, MAINTENANCE FOUND A CONSTANT SECTION SKIN CRACK AT FS 212.27 ON THE LEFT SIDE. REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY FABRICATING AND IN
- [SDR MALA965011](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965011), May 30, 1996: SKIN. CRACKED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, MAINTENANCE FOUND A FUSELAGE CONSTANT SECTION SKIN CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AT FS 189.06. REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY FABRIC
- [SDR MALA965010](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA965010), May 30, 1996: SKIN. CRACKED. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN MSP, MAINTENANCE NOTED A FUSELAGE CONSTANT SECTION SKIN CRACK AT FS 227.271. REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY INSTALLING A REPAIR DOUBL
- [SDR MALA964983](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964983), May 7, 1996: SWITCH. OUT OF ADJUST. FLT 3008 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM MKG, THE NOSE GEAR CYCLED ONCE BEFORE COMING UP AND LOCKED ON GEAR RETRACTION. MAINTENANCE ADJUSTED THE RIGGING OF THE UP POSITION 
- [SDR MALA964925](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964925), Mar 14, 1996: RIB. CRACK. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT FLAP OUTBOARD END NOSE RIB. THEY REPLACED THE OUTBOARD END NOSE RIB IAW F
- [SDR MALA964924](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964924), Mar 14, 1996: SKIN. DENTED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED A DENT IN THE FUSELAGE SKIN AFT OF FS 493. THEY REPAIRED THE DENT BY FABRICATING AND INSTALLIN
- [SDR MALA964923](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964923), Mar 14, 1996: SKIN. DENTED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED A DENT IN THE FUSELAGE SKIN AFT OF FS 512. THEY REPAIRED THE DENT BY FABRICATING AND INSTALLIN
- [SDR MALA964921](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964921), Mar 14, 1996: CARGO DOOR FRAME. CRACKED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED CRACKS IN THE FORWARD CARGO DOOR FRAME GAS STRUT MOUNT HOLE. THEY REMOVED THE CRACKED PORTION 
- [SDR MALA964920](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964920), Mar 14, 1996: SKIN. DAMAGED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED DAMAGE TO THE OUTER FUSELAGE SKIN AT THE PASSENGER DOOR FORWARD CORNER. THEY REPAIRED THE DAMA
- [SDR MALA964919](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964919), Mar 14, 1996: TORQUE TUBE. WORN. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOTED WEAR ON THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBE. THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE TUBE IAW FAC MM 27-30-00. (M)
- [SDR MALA964830](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964830), Jan 21, 1996: LIGHT PANEL. SMOKING. FLT 3347 - IN CRUISE FLIGHT TO DTW, THE CREW NOTED A SMOKE SMELL FROM THE RT CIRCUIT BREAKER SIDE CONSOLE. THE CREW TURNED OFF THE SIDE PANEL LIGHTS AND PULLED 
- [SDR MALA964793](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA964793), Jan 4, 1996: RETRACT MECH. MALFUNCTIONED. FLT NR 3078 - INBOUND TO MSP, THE NOSE GEAR STARTED CYCLING UP AND DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO MSP AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FUNCTI
- [SDR MALA954673](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954673), Oct 21, 1995: HYD LINE. CRACKED. FLT NR 3019 - ON THE SHORT FINAL APPROACH INTO DTW, BOTH HYDRAULIC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE HYDRAULIC GAUGE WENT TO ZERO. THE CREW PERFORMED QUICK REFERENCE P
- [SDR MALA954660](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954660), Oct 9, 1995: TQ TUBE ARM. CORRODED. FLT NR 3192 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM DTW, THE CREW NOTED A STEADY THUMPING FROM THE NOSE GEAR AREA AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO DTW. MAINTENANCE REPLACED 
- [SDR 95ZZZM641](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/95ZZZM641), Oct 9, 1995: TQ TUBE ARM. CORRODED. FLT NR 3192 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM DTW, THE CREW NOTED A STEADY THUMPING FROM THE NOSE GEAR AREA AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO DTW. MAINTENANCE REPLACED 
- [SDR MALA954626](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954626), Sep 7, 1995: CORNER. CRACKED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FOUND THE LOWER FORWARD PASSENGER DOOR CORNER (P/N 27-24044) AND LOWER FORWARD PASSENGER DOOR COVER 
- [SDR 95ZZZM493](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/95ZZZM493), Sep 7, 1995: COVER. CRACKED. DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION IN MSP, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FOUND THE LOWER FORWARD PASSENGER DOOR CORNER (P/N 27-24044) AND LOWER FORWARD PASSENGER DOOR COVER 
- [SDR MALA954610](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954610), Aug 27, 1995: SWITCH. FAILED. FLT NR 3255 - ON APPROACH TO MSP, THE LEFT GEAR INTRANSIT LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE DURING THE GEAR RETRACTION. MAINTENANCE REPLACED THE LEFT INBOARD DOWN AND 
- [SDR MALA954471](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954471), May 20, 1995: FRAME. CRACKED. DURING PHASE INSPECTION IN MSP, FOUND .5 INCH CRACK IN LOWER RT BELT FRAME RELIEF RADIUS AT FS 145.95 AND WL 75.13. MAINTENANCE STOP DRILLED THE CRACK AND INSTA
- [SDR MALA954470](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954470), May 20, 1995: FRAME. CRACKED. DURING PHASE INSPECTION IN MSP, FOUND CRACK .375 INCH LONG IN LOWER RT BELT FRAME RELIEF RADIUS AT FS 159.247 AND WL 75.13. MAINTENANCE STOP DRILLED CRACK AND I
- [SDR MALA954468](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954468), May 18, 1995: COOLING TURBINE. FAILED. FLT 3222 - DURING TAXI AT LNK, THE AIRCRAFT FILLED WITH SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE LEFT BLEED SOURCE. THE LEFT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS DEFERRED AND THE AIRCRA
- [SDR MALA954352](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954352), Feb 27, 1995: POSITION IND. MALFUNCTIONED. MSP - FLT 3270 - ON APPROACH, NOSE GEAR INTRANSIT LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT DURING GEAR EXTENSION. MAINTENANCE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE DISCREPANCY. AS A PRECAU
- [SDR MALA954344](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954344), Feb 24, 1995: SWITCH. DIRTY. DTW - FLT 3071 - ON APPROACH, NOSE GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE UPON GEAR EXTENSION. THE CREW CYCLED THE GEAR UNTIL THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE 
- [SDR MALA954316](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954316), Feb 12, 1995: RETRACT MECH. OUT OF ADJUST. FLT 3256 - ON CLIMB-OUT FROM MSP, THE NOSE GEAR CONTINUED TO CYCLE AFTER GEAR RETRACTION. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO MSP. MAINTENANCE RESHIMMED THE BELLCRANKS. SY
- [SDR MALA954307](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/MALA954307), Feb 11, 1995: SWITCH. OUT OF RIG. FLT 3447 - DURING THE CLIMB-OUT FROM TVF, THE NOSE GEAR CONTINUED TO CYCLE AFTER GEAR RETRACTION. THE CREW CYCLED THE GEAR AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE AIRCRA

All 57: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N438MA-2012-10-22/reports.md

## NTSB investigations (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA00LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA004), Oct 12, 1999: Fairchild SA227-AC (N438MA), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper flare by the co-pilot, and the failure of the captain to take remedial action by applying power to arrest the observed high rate of descent resulting in a hard landing. A finding in the…

## FAA accident and incident reports (1)

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [Accident 19991011041949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991011041949A), Oct 11, 1999: Swrngn SA227AC (N438MA), Miami, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Inspection of aircraft revealed damage to nose and main landing gear with right main gear grinding damage and partial separation of wheel hub. Propeller…

## Other aircraft with N438MA

- [Registered now](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N438MA): Embraer EMB-145LR, S/N 145232

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