- Date
- January 31, 1994, 11:29 local (16:29 UTC)
- Place
- Anderson, IN
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N907ZDouglas DC3C
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 7, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940131001259A
- Case key
- 9460
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot in command's inadequate remedial action after a loss of directional control during the takeoff ground roll. Related factors are the copilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the snow covered, icy runway.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
For the accident flight, the copilot was to perform the takeoff, while the captain (PIC) monitored the instruments/engine gauges. The PIC stated the copilot corrected to the left when the airplane began to drift to the right side of runway 30 (winds out of 340 degrees at 7 knots). The airplane drifted back to the left and continued towards the left side of the runway. The PIC stated he took control in an attempt to keep the airplane from going off the runway, but due to 'lack of traction' the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. The airplane veered right, back onto the runway, but the bottom aft section of the fuselage struck a VASI light. The pilots described the runway as snow and ice covered.
Factual narrative
On January 31, 1994, at 1129 hours eastern standard time, a Douglas DC 3C, N907Z, operated as an air taxi cargo flight by Miami Valley Aviation, Inc., slid off the snow/ice covered runway and struck VASI lights during an attempted takeoff at Anderson, Indiana. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Commercial pilot reported no injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 135, and originated from Anderson, Indiana, with an intended destination of Flint, Michigan.
The flight crew prearranged the division of duties for the departure. The copilot was to handle the flight controls and perform the takeoff, while the Captain (PIC) monitored flight and engine instruments/systems. The PIC reported the airplane began to drift to the right as the takeoff ground roll began. The copilot applied left rudder to compensate, and the airplane drifted back to the left. The captain stated he "took control and added right rudder, cut power on the right engine and added power to the left engine in an attempt to keep the airplane from going off the runway. The airplane corrected back to the right, but due to the lack of traction...snow...continued to drift left."
The airplane departed the left side of the runway, then veered back to the right. As the airplane moved toward the runway, the rear fuselage struck a VASI light. The airplane came to a stop on the runway. The local weather observation reported sky partially obscured, 2,000 foot overcast, 2.5 miles visibility in light snow and fog, with winds out of 340 degrees at 7 knots. Postaccident investigation revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N907Z
- Reported as
- Douglas DC3C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 12300
- Airframe hours
- 16,564
- Engine
- P&W R1830, 1,200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Miami Valley Aviation
- Registered owner
- Eagle And The Hawks, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- AAIP · January 26, 1994 · 12 hours before
- Destination
- FNT · Flint, MI
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- AID · Anderson Municipal, runway 30, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 27
- Certificates
- Airline transport, Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,500 total · 700 in this make and model · 1,300 as pilot in command · 150 in the last 90 days · 85 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Wind
- 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 2.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 18 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- AID, 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.