# NTSB CHI86FA235: Fairchild SA-266TC, N327BA, Galesburg, IL, September 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1986, 20:35 local (Sep 25, 1986, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Galesburg, IL
- Coordinates: 40.950939, -90.369415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9509&lon=-90.3694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 12 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Complete gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - gear down and locked - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate control location, manufacturer (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ALL LANDING GEAR ON THE AIRCRAFT PREMATURELY RETRACTED DURING TAKOFF ROTATION. THE CAPTAIN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY. SUBSEQUENT GEAR RETRACTION TESTS REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM. SA-226 SERIES AIRCRAFT ARE PRONE TO INADVERTENT GEAR RETRACTIONS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER NEAR THE PILOT'S RIGHT KNEE. IT IS EASY TO ACCIDENTLY MOVE THE LEVER OUT OF THE 'DOWN' DETENT. IN THIS ACCIDENT THE CAPTAIN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF DURING ROTATION AT APPROX 113 KTS. V1 SPEED FOR THIS TAKEOFF WAS 108 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N327BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N327BA-2005-05-25), registration cancelled 2005-05-25, S/N TC249 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA-266TC
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA226TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226tc) (registry code 8780404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC 249
- Airframe hours: 12391
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-3UW30 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Britt Airways
- Registered owner: Britt Airways Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 7, 1986
- Destination: UIN, QUINCY, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GBG, Galesburg Municipal, runway 20, 5,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 5,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GBG, 1 nm away

## 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 19860924048909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860924048909A), Sep 24, 1986: Swrngn SA226TC, Galesburg, IL, Substantial damage. The wheels retracted on rotation. Pilot aborted. Suspect the landing gear lever inadvertently bumped out of detent.

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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