# NTSB ATL87IA083: Saab-Fairchild SF340A, N341CA, Covington, KY, March 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1987, 19:15 local (Mar 10, 1987, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Covington, KY
- Coordinates: 38.999786, -84.579505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9998&lon=-84.5795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87IA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87IA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - hydraulic system,pump - inoperative
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, manufacturer
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, dispatcher (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - hydraulic system - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - vehicle
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

AFTER A HYDRAULIC SYS MALFUNCTION, THE CAPT RETURNED TO ARPT TO EXCHANGE ACFT. COMPANY PLT HAD COMPLETED DAY OF FLYING AND WAS ASKED TO TAXI ACFT TO MAINT HANGAR. DEPARTING CAPT WAS IN PROCESS OF MANUALLY PUMPING HYD SYS TO SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO ENSURE BRAKING ACTION.  REPOSITIONING CAPT TOOK LEFT SEAT AND BEGAN TAXI TO HANGAR, CONFIRMED RAMP AREA REQUIRED POWER AND BRAKING TO MANEUVER AWAY FROM BOEING 767 AND FUEL TRUCK.  PLT LOST BRAKE PRESSURE AND PLACED PROPS IN REVERSE TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH TRUCK.  COLLISION WAS IMMINENT SO PLT ELECTED TO SHUT DOWN ENGINES. AS PROPS TRANSITIONED FROM POWERED REVERSE A BURST OF THRUST ACCELERATED ACFT TO IMPACT WITH FUEL TRUCK AND DELTA JET. EXAM DETERMINED INTERNAL HYDRO PUMP FAILED DRIVE SHAFT DUE TO IMPROPERLY SECURED RETAINER NUT. THE COMPANY HAS SINCE MADE IT MANDATORY FOR 2 PLTS TO BE ON A TAXIIED ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N341CA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SAAB-FAIRCHILD SF340A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3404-021
- Airframe hours: 4098
- Engines: GE CT7-5 1600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Comair,Inc., doing business as Comair Inc.
- Registered owner: Connecticut Nat'L Bank Trust
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 3, 1987, 74 hours before
- Airport: CVG, Cincinnati Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 14 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19870309039779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870309039779I), Mar 9, 1987: Saab SF340A, Covington - Cin, OH, Minor damage. While taxiing, the aircraft struck N106DA which was parked. Pilot was unaware of brake problems on the aircraft.

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.

---
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.