# NTSB CHI01LA302: Swearingen SA226-T, N104BR, West Chicago, IL, August 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2001, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: West Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.88068, -88.219245 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8807&lon=-88.2192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration, Fairchild Dornier Corporation - NTSB case key (mKey): 53171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA302 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53171/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA302 ## Probable cause the checklist not followed and the directional control not maintained by the pilot. A contributing factor was the left propeller’s start locks being engaged. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - propeller system/accessories - locked (contributing factor) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a takeoff roll on runway 1L (6,700 feet by 100 feet, dry grooved concrete). A wind from 050 degrees at 10 knots was recorded by the airport's automated surface observing system. The airplane veered towards the left when the pilot deselected nose wheel steering at approximately 60 knots. Examination of the airplane revealed that the trailing edge flaps and their respective cockpit control were in the 1/2 flap position. Two of left propeller's start locks were engaged. The third start lock was damaged. Two of the right propeller's start locks were not engaged. The right propellar's remaining start lock cam had a witness mark prior to the locking point of the cam. The airplane's checklist states that the flaps are to be in the retracted position and the engine's start locks are to be disengaged prior to takeoff. Also, the airplane flight manual does not have performance data for takeoff configurations with 1/2 flaps. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2001, at 1720 central daylight time, a Swearingen SA226-T, N104BR, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff following a loss of directional control on runway 1L (6,700 feet by 100 feet, dry grooved concrete) at the DuPage Airport, West Chicago, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was en route to the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, Springfield, Missouri. The pilot reported, "...At takeoff power, [approximately]. 75KT. On centerline, steering switch had been released at about 60 KT. Aircraft has sudden strong desire to turn left. I applied full [right] rudder and brake, reversed power on both sides. As the left turn continued I applied power to left side. Aircraft left the runway to the left and continued to turn left. I estimate about 500 [feet] from the time I left the center line until aircraft stopped and about a 75 degree change of heading. The nose gear collapsed about 15 [feet] before [aircraft] stopped." "Skid marks from all three gears indicate my recovery started at the center line and continued until leaving the runway. Skid marks show the aircraft in a skidding left turn nose cocked to the right." Using a hydraulic cart and airplane battery power, the nose gear steering was actuated through the application right and left rudder pedal inputs. No anomalies were noted. Examination of the left propeller's start locks revealed one start lock latch damaged and the other two start locks engaged. Two of the right propeller's start locks were not engaged. The right propellar's remaining start lock cam had a witness mark prior to the locking point of the cam. According to the Before Taxi checklist, the propeller start locks are to be in the "RELEASE" position. The flaps and flap control lever were in the 1/2 flap position. There is no performance data in the airplane's flight manual for a takeoff configuration with 1/2 flaps. According to the Before Takeoff checklist, the flaps are to be in the "UP" position. Federal Aviation Regulation 91.103, Preflight action, states, "Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This information must include ... (b) For any flight, runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the following takeoff and landing distance information: (1) For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein;..." The Federal Aviation Administration and Fairchild Dornier Corporation were parties to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104BR-2002-05-17), registration cancelled 2002-05-17, S/N T269, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Swearingen SA226-T - Registry model: [Swearingen SA-226T](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-226t) (registry code 8780122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T-269 - Airframe hours: 4386 - Engines: Garrett 331 840 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: LS&C Development Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 2001, 2.5 hours before - Departed: DPA, DuPage, IL - Destination: SGF, Springfield, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DPA, Dupage, runway 01L, 6,700 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 31, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 23,075 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 21,897 as pilot in command, 236 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DPA ## 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 20010828024709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010828024709A), Aug 28, 2001: Swrngn SA226T, Chicago/West Ch, IL, No damage. (.19) On August 28, 2001, at 1720 central daylight time, a swearingen SA-226T, N104BR, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged during… 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.