# NTSB DCA87MA022: CASA C-212-CC, N160FB, Romulus, MI, March 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1987, 14:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Romulus, MI
- Coordinates: 42.219238, -83.349617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2192&lon=-83.3496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 9 fatal, 7 serious, 6 minor; on the ground: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA87MA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15875/pdf
- Board report AAR8808 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8808.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA87MA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,fuel control
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,reversing system - asymmetrical
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - fuselage,cabin - fire

## Analysis

THE CAPT MADE A STEEP, SHORT, FAST VISUAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY BEHIND A DEPARTING DC-9. THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THE CAPT PLACED THE POWER LEVERS INTO BETA MODE TO SLOW THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY AND MAKE A SHORT FIELD LANDING. AN ASYMMETRIC THRUST CONDITION RESULTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND THE CAPT COULD NOT RECOVER PRIOR TO IMPACT. IMPACT FORCES WERE SURVIVABLE. HOWEVER, THE FATALITIES WERE ATTRIBUTED TO A POSTCRASH FIRE, LACK OF FIRE-BLOCKING MATERIAL, AND POORLY DESIGNED AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED INCORRECT SPRINGS INSTALLED IN THE PROPELLERS AND HIGHER THAT NORMAL FUEL FLOW SETTINGS. THE EXAMINATION OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS INDICATED INEFFECTIVEMANAGEMENT OF BILATERAL TYPE CERTIFICATION BY THE FAA. (FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, SEE NTSB/AAR-88/08.)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N160FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N160FB-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASA C-212-CC
- Registry model: [Construcciones Aeronauticas C-212-CC](https://openairdocs.org/model/construcciones-aeronauticas-c-212-cc) (registry code 2410204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 160
- Airframe hours: 12918
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-10R 900 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Fisher Brothers Aviation Inc., doing business as Northwest Arient Airlink
- Registered owner: Aim Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 22, 1987, 51 hours before
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DTW, Detroit Metro, runway 21R, 10,501 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,953 total, 3,144 in this make and model, 15,821 as pilot in command, 293 in the last 90 days, 101 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DTW

## 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 19870304009469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870304009469A), Mar 4, 1987: Casa C212CC, Detroit, MI, Destroyed, 9 fatal. Crashed while operating the propeller in the beta mode on final. Too slow plane caused asymetric thrust. Lost control

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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