# Accident 20170312007549A: Swearingen SA227-TT, Santa Monica, CA, March 12, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 12, 2017, 12:24 local time
- Place: Santa Monica, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.0150° N, 118.4522° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0150&lon=-118.4522&mi=10
- Aircraft: N53DA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53DA-2021-08-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Swearingen SA227-TT (registry code 8780620, https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa227-tt) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: AiResearch TPE331 series (registry code 01514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA227-TT
- Reported engine: AIRESEARCH TPE331-10U-513G
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,900 total, 410 in this make and model, 102 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA333) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170312007549A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THIS MERLIN IIIC DEPARTED PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL (KPSP) AT APPROXIMATELY 11:50 A.M. (12MAR2017) ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN ARRIVING AT SMO APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES LATER.

PIC INDICATES ENCOUNTERING "WAKE TURBULENCE" AT LDG SITE, RESULTING IN "HARD LANDING" FURTHER RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, ESTIMATED AT $300,000 TO AIRCRAFT - NO. 2 ENGINE, PROPELLER & NOSE LANDING GEAR,  KEEL BEAM STRUCTURE.

## 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 GAA17CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA333), Mar 12, 2017: Swearingen SA227 TT (N53DA), Santa Monica, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s unstabilized approach after encountering wake turbulence, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Other reports on N53DA (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20161017016769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161017016769I), Oct 17, 2016: Swearingen SA227-TT (N53DA), Hayward, CA, No damage. PIC operating a Swearingen merlin SA227-TT aborted take-off on rwy 28L at hwd airport. While in take-off roll, left brake locked causing aircraft to veer left…
- [Incident 19860624034079I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860624034079I), Jun 24, 1986: Swrngn SA227TT (N53DA), Farmingdale, NY. During descent, right engine EGT was excessive. Engine was shutdown. Malfunction to be reported.
- [Incident 19850107001709I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850107001709I), Jan 7, 1985: Swrngn SA227TT (N53DA), Buffalo, NY. Left followed by right engines lost power. Restart on left engine, right shutdown. Safe landing made.

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.

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