# NTSB CHI92LA038: Swearingen SA-226T, N14TP, Iowa, IA, December 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1991, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Iowa, IA
- Coordinates: 41.65073, -91.569343 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6507&lon=-91.5693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA038

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN THE PROPELLER BLADES CONTACTING THE RUNWAY DURING THE LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW A CHECKLIST DURING THE APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fractured
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - ruptured
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - snow
  - weather condition - gusts
- Occurrence, landing

## Analysis

DURING THE SECOND LANDING ATTEMPT, THE PILOT FAILED TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND AFTER THE PROPELLERS CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN RETURNED FOR AN UNEVENTFUL GEAR DOWN LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ABOUT ONE THIRD OF EACH BLADE ON THE RIGHT PROPELLER HAD SEPARATED. PIECES OF THE SEPARATED BLADE(S) PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE PRESSURIZED FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14TP-2005-12-15), registration cancelled 2005-12-15, S/N T-220, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-226T
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA-226T](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-226t) (registry code 8780122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T-220
- Engines: GARRETT TPE3313U303G 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Iowa Flying Services, Inc
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: STL, ST LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IOW, Iowa City, runway 3, 3,900 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,145 total, 87 in this make and model, 3,941 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 15 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 19911203054879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911203054879A), Dec 3, 1991: Swrngn SA226T, Iowa City, IA, Substantial damage. On second approach the propellers impacted runway and a portion of one propeller blade penetrated the fuselage.

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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