# NTSB ATL90LA054: Swearingen SA 226TC, N396AV, Morrisville, NC, January 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1990, 17:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Morrisville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.830089, -78.829566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8301&lon=-78.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 11 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA054

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR FORK ASSEMBLY BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway

## Analysis

AFTER THE COMMUTER FLIGHT ARRIVED AT ITS DESTINATION THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND USING NORMAL AND ABNORMAL PROCEDURES. THE AIRPLANE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND LANDED ON THE RWY WITH ALL WHEELS RETRACTED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR BY THE OPERATOR REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR FORK ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. AS A RESULT THE LANDING GEAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N396AV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA 226TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-396
- Engines: GARRETT TPE 331-10 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Amr Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: FAY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh-Durham, runway 23R, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,870 total, 1,586 in this make and model, 1,143 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: RDU

## 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 19900124001049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900124001049A), Jan 24, 1990: Swrngn SA226TC, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Substantial damage. Unable to extend right main gear. Landed gear up. Door actuator fork was installed incorrectly. Kept door closed.

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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