# NTSB ATL91IA016: Saab-Scania 340A, N322PX, Memphis, TN, November 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1990, 10:22 local (16:22 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.029254, -90.010879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0293&lon=-90.0109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91IA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91IA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFLIGHT MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS AND IMPROPERLY USED THE FLIGHT AND ENGINE CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - propeller feathering - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

NO PASSENGERS WERE ON THE AIRPLANE WHEN IT DEPARTED MEMPHIS. THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE CAPTAIN FELT A VIBRATION ON THE LEFT SIDE AND BELIEVED THAT THE PROPELLER WAS THE ORIGIN. HE ASKED THE FIRST OFFICER (FO) HAD HE EVER SEEN THE PROPELLER IN FEATHER; THE FO SAID NO. THE CAPTAIN INSTRUCTED THE FO TO GO INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AND LOOK AT THE LEFT PROPELLER IN FEATHER. SECONDS LATER THE AIRPLANE STARTED A SERIES OF VIOLENT GYRATIONS, WHICH THREW HIM AND THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT AGAINST THE INTERIOR OF THE CABIN. AFTER LOSING SEVERAL THOUSAND FEET FROM 11,000 FEET, THE FLIGHT CREW MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. A REVIEW OF THE EVENT AND THE REPORTED VIBRATION FELT ONLY BY THE CAPTAIN, FAILED TO REVEAL A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHICH WOULD HAVE PRODUCED A VIBRATION. THE PROCEDURES EMPLOYED BY THE CAPTAIN WERE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAA OR COMPANY APPROVED DIRECTIVES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N322PX (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Saab-Scania AB (Saab) 340A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0041
- Engines: GE CT7-5A2 1735 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Heleasco Twenty Four, Inc., doing business as Northwest Airlink
- Destination: GTR, COLUMBUS, MS
- Flight plan: IFR

## 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.; flight hours: 5,020 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MEM

## 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 19901110056669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901110056669I), Nov 10, 1990: Saab SF340A, Memphis, TN. Shut down left engine in cruise due to excessive propeller RPM. Made single engine landing.

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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