# NTSB CHI08CA074: Swearingen SA-226AT, N120SC, Ankeny, IA, February 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 5, 2008, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Ankeny, IA - Coordinates: 41.691387, -93.56639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6914&lon=-93.5664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - Des Moines FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67677/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the snow on the runway and the snowbank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Swearingen SA-226AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=8780405), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Swearingen SA-226AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8780405), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Swearingen SA-226AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=8780405), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Swearingen SA-226AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8780405), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Swearingen SA-226AT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8780405), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that it was snowing during his preflight activities and takeoff roll. A snowplow operator stated that he had cleared approximately four passes on either side of the runway centerline when the accident airplane taxied onto the runway. The pilot back-taxied on the departure runway to determine how much snow covered the runway. During the subsequent takeoff roll, at approximately 80 knots, the left main landing gear encountered some deeper snow that caused the airplane to swerve left off of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct the left swerve with right rudder input, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear impacted a snowbank. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that it was snowing during his preflight activities and takeoff roll. A snowplow operator stated that he had cleared approximately four passes on either side of the runway centerline when the accident airplane taxied onto the runway. The pilot back-taxied on the departure runway to determine how much snow covered the runway. During the subsequent takeoff roll, at approximately 80 knots, the left main landing gear encountered some deeper snow that caused the airplane to swerve left off of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct the left swerve with right rudder input, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged when its nose landing gear impacted a snowbank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N120SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120SC-2014-09-18), registration cancelled 2014-09-18, S/N AT067, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Swearingen SA-226AT - Registry model: [Swearingen SA-226AT](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-226at) (registry code 8780405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-6-251M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-6-251m) (registry code 01521, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AT067 - Airframe hours: 21600 - Engines: Honeywell TPE-331-10UA turbo prop; Honeywell TPE-331-10UA 840 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: McNeely Charter Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 1, 2008 - Departed: IKV, Ankeny, IA - Destination: OPF, Miami, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: IKV, Ankeny Regional Airport, runway 36, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 13,340 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 12,850 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: IKV ## 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 20080205010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080205010279A), Feb 5, 2008: Swrngn SA226AT, Ankeny, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot back taxied runway 18/36 for departure on 36. After getting his release, he began his takeoff roll. About eighty knots, all instruments were… ## Other investigations on N120SC (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA14CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA276), Jun 3, 2014: Swearingen SA 226AT (N120SC), Dayton, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during the approach, which resulted in a gear-up 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. --- 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.