# NTSB CHI88FA041: Fairchild SA226T, N800AW, Pontiac, MI, January 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1988, 10:17 local (15:17 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769001, -82.5298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7690&lon=-82.5298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power lever - worn (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,reversing system - deployed inadvertently (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. DURING THE WX BRIEFING, THE CFI TOLD THE FSS SPECIALIST THAT THE FLT WOULD INCLUDE ENG-OUT PRACTICE. WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE ACFT ROLLED SHARPLY TO THE RT AND NOSED DOWN AFTER ATTAINING ABOUT 100 FT OF ALT DURING THE CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND LEFT PROP AND LEFT WING TIP FIRST, IN AN INVERTED FLT ATTITUDE. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, THE RT ENG PWR LEVER WAS SUBJECTED TO LAB EXAM AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER AFT PART OF THE LIFT GATE DETENT WAS WORN. THIS CREATED A RAMPING EFFECT BETWEEN THE ROUNDED EDGE OF THE LIFT GATE AND THE FLT IDLE STOP. A WORN LIFT GATE DETENT WOULD ALLOW THE POWER LEVER TO INADVERTENTLY BE MOVED INTO THE BETA RANGE, CAUSING ASYMMETRICAL DRAG AND DEGRADED AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, PARTICULARLY IN CRITICAL PHASES OF FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N800AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N800AW-1988-11-28), registration cancelled 1988-11-28, S/N T403 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA226T
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA-226T](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-226t) (registry code 8780122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T403
- Airframe hours: 1515
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-100 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Service Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 22, 1987, 16 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PTK, Oakland Pontiac, runway 27L, 6,200 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 22,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19880110069869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880110069869A), Jan 10, 1988: Swrngn SA226T, Pontiac, MI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Appears CFI gave student engine out on takeoff by power lever to flite idle at or below VMC causing roll over.

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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