# NTSB CHI91LA103: Short Brothers SD3-60, N385MQ, Chicago, IL, March 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1991, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Location: 41.9769° N, 87.9081° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHICAGO O'HARE INTL (ORD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9769&lon=-87.9081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 22 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA103

## Probable cause

AN EXCESSIVE LANDING FLARE BY THE COPILOT.   FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE INOPERATIVE WING FLAPS AND THE CAPTAIN'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway
  - flare - excessive, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - flight control,flap - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE OVERROTATED AND STRUCK THE RUNWAY WITH AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE DURING A NO FLAP LANDING.  THE FIRST OFFICER WAS FLYING THE APPROACH AND WHEN HE ASKED FOR FLAP EXTENSION BOTH PILOTS STATED THEY DID NOT EXTEND.  THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH.  THE FINAL APPROACH WAS FLOWN WITH THE CAPTAIN MANIPULATING THE THROTTLES AND THE FIRST OFFICER ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.  THE AIRLANE BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN. THE CAPTAIN ASSUMED COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COMPLETED THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N385MQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N385MQ), registered now, S/N SH3707 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Short Brothers SD3-60
- Registry model: [Short Bros SD3-60](https://openairdocs.org/model/short-bros-sd3-60) (registry code 8100606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: SH3707
- Engines: P&W PT6A-65AR 1220 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Simmons Airlines
- Departed: AZO, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORD, O'Hare Field, runway 32, 10,003 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,087 total, 1,903 in this make and model, 502 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 22 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 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 19910302005719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910302005719A), Mar 2, 1991: Stbros SD360, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Tail strike on landing. Ice on airframe. Reported flaps inop. Recorder shows flaps extended then retracted.

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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