# NTSB ATL85LA270: Swearingen SA-26AT, N18SE, Columbia, SC, September 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1985, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.989597, -81.000305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9896&lon=-81.0003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA270

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING LANDING ROLL, AFTER SLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO APPROX 40 KTS THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF OF THE RUNWAY FOLLOWING ACTIVATION OF THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING. THE PILOT RELATED THAT THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, BOTH FOLLOWING FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF NOSE WHEEL STEERING FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PREEXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18SE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-26AT
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T26-134
- Airframe hours: 4277
- Engines: Airesearch TPE 331-1 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Becker Sand & Gravel Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 26, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: 6M5, HAWESVILLE, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAE, Owens Field, runway 31, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,640 total, 5,874 in this make and model, 22,200 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850906043769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850906043769A), Sep 6, 1985: Swrngn SA26AT, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Veered off runway side into a ditch when nose steering was activated after flying in ice and cold temperatures.

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.

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