# Accident 19970819023019A: Swrngn SA226TC, Des Moines, IA, August 19, 1997 - Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported - Date: August 19, 1997, 22:21 local time - Place: Des Moines, IA - Airport: Des Moines International - Damage: Substantial damage - Phase of flight: Missed Approach IFR - Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135) - Operator: EATA - Location: 41.5340° N, 93.6631° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DES MOINES INTL (DSM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5340&lon=-93.6631&mi=10 - Aircraft: N224AM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N224AM-1999-01-15) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry model: Swearingen SA226TC (registry code 8780404, https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226tc) (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SWRNGN SA226TC - Reported engine: GARRTT TPE33110U - Fatal injuries: 0 - Pilot flight hours: 2,436 total, 93 in this make and model, 221 in the last 90 days - NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI97LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA266) (OpenAirDocs) - FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/) - Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970819023019A ## Narrative As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^. (.4)DURING A LANDING APPROACH, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE REMAINED AT A HIGH POWER SETTING, WHEN HE MOVED THE POWER LEVERS TO REDUCE POWER. HE EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH AND HAD DIFFICULTY KEEPING THE AIRPLANE STRAIGHT AND LEVEL. THE PILOT MANEUVERED FOR A SECOND APPROACH TO LAND. AFTER LANDING, HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO GO AROUND, BUT THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED THE LOCALIZER ANTENNA. THE PILOT DID NOT ADVISE ATC OF THE PROBLEM NOR DID HE DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK STATED THAT FOR A POWER PLANT CONTROL MALFUNCTION, THE AFFECTED ENGINE SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN, AND A SINGLE ENGINE LANDING SHOULD BE MADE. THE POWER CONTROL CABLE WAS FOUND DISCONNECTED FROM THE ANCHORING POINT. A SAFETY TAB WAS BROKEN OFF THE HOUSING, ALLOWING IT TO UNSCREW. ABOUT ONE MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE RIGHT ENGINE TO CORRECT A DISCREPANCY ABOUT THE RIGHT ENGINE POWER LEVER BEING STIFF. THE MECHANIC RE-RIGGED THE RIGHT ENGINE POWER CABLE. ## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 CHI97LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA266), Aug 20, 1997: Swearingen SA226TC (N224AM), Des Moines, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to perform the emergency procedure for shut-down of the right engine. Factors relating to the accident were: the power lever cable became… ## Other reports on N224AM (9) Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date. - [Incident 19910804035519I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910804035519I), Aug 4, 1991: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Kansas City, MO. Right main gear would not retract on takeoff. Returned. Landed safely. - [Incident 19900328014999I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900328014999I), Mar 28, 1990: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Garden City, KS. Unsafe gear light on approach. Executed emergency extension and landed. Replaced left nose gear actuator. - [Incident 19900107003349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900107003349I), Jan 7, 1990: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), St Louis, MO. Hydraulic gauge lens shattered and dripping fluid on climb. Returned. Replaced indicator. - [Incident 19881227006989I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881227006989I), Dec 27, 1988: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Cedar Rapids, IA. Unsafe landing gear indication. Landed without incident. - [Incident 19880202005689I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880202005689I), Feb 2, 1988: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Springfield, MO. Nose gear did not extend. Diverted to Springfield. Emergency procedures used to lower gear. Cause is undetermined. - [Incident 19870322031619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870322031619I), Mar 22, 1987: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Wichita, KS, Minor damage. Sustained minor hail damage in flight. - [Incident 19860620040139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860620040139I), Jun 20, 1986: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Lincoln, NE. After gear retraction, the gear indicator showed in transit. Returned and replaced indicator light. - [Incident 19790110000369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790110000369I), Jan 10, 1979: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Hutchinson, KS, Minor damage. Pilot lost directional control when he hit drifted snow. Came to a stop on the runway in 12 to 20 inches of snow. - [Accident 19770202002159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770202002159A), Feb 2, 1977: Swrngn SA226TC (N224AM), Parsons, KS. Pax deplaning fell,broke hip. 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.