# NTSB CHI82DA115: Swearingen SA226TC, N639S, Fort Wayne, IN, April 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1982, 21:38 local (Apr 6, 1982, 02:38 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Coordinates: 41.000183, -85.210815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0002&lon=-85.2108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO LANDING THE CREW WAS ADVISED BY FORT WAYNE ATC THAT THE 150 FOOT WIDE RUNWAY HAD BEEN PLOWED 140 FEET WIDE WITH 18 INCH WINDROWS ON EACH SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE RUNWAY WAS REPORTED TO BE 40 PERCENT COVERED WITH FINGER DRIFTS. THE WIND WAS FROM 010 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS AND GUSTING. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT UNTIL THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR MADE CONTACT WITH A SNOW WINDROW. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED ACROSS THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY 04.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N639S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA226TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC222E
- Airframe hours: 12429
- Engines: AIRESEARCH 331-3UW-303G 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Air Wisconsin, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Wisconsin, Inc.
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Destination: FWA, FORT WAYNE, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FWA, Baer Field, runway 4, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,183 total, 198 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 16 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA

## 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 19820405016779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820405016779I), Apr 5, 1982: Swrngn SA226TC, Ft Wayne, IN, Substantial damage. Veered into snowdrift on landing, collapsed gear. Factor blowing snow, windows and crew misjudgement.

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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