# NTSB DEN04LA020: Fairchild Swearingen SA227BC, N787KL, Rawlins, WY, November 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 2003, 07:52 local (14:52 UTC) - Place: Rawlins, WY - Coordinates: 41.805557, -107.199722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8056&lon=-107.1997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSFO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58287/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA020 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing factors include the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, the icy, snow covered runway and the snow bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot noted, during the circling approach, that the runway was snow covered. During the landing roll, the airplane began to slide to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and reversed the right propeller. The airplane slid for approximately 1,900 feet and went off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a snow bank, substantially damaging the airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 2003, at 0752 mountain standard time, a Fairchild Swearingen SA227BC, N787KL, operated by Key Lime Air, was substantially damaged after striking a snow bank while landing at Rawlins Municipal Airport (RWL), Rawlins, Wyoming. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The non-scheduled domestic cargo flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135. An IFR flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated from Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado, at approximately 0640. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was circling to land on runway 22 after executing the NDB-A approach. During the circling approach, the pilot noted that the runway was snow covered. During the landing roll, the airplane began to slide to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and reversed the right propeller. The airplane slid for approximately 1,900 feet and went off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a snow bank, wrinkling and bending the airplane's nose section. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N787KL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N787KL), registered now, S/N BC-787B, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fairchild Swearingen SA227BC - Registry model: [Fairchild SA227BC](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-sa227bc) (registry code 3377519) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: BC-787B - Airframe hours: 23941.3 - Engines: Honeywell TPE-331-120HR 1000 horsepower turbo prop; Honeywell TPE-331-120HR 1000 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Key Lime Air - Registered owner: E.D.B. Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 7, 2003, 85 hours before - Departed: APA, Denver, CO - Destination: RWL, Rawlins, WY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: RWL, Rawlins Municipal Airport, runway 22, 7,008 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 28, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,372 total, 188 in this make and model, 3,203 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: RWL, 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 20031101027959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031101027959A), Nov 1, 2003: Swrngn SA227BC, Rawlings, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Two NOTAMS were issued for the runway conditions due to 12 inch snowbanks and icy patches with fair braking action prior to the attempted landing. The… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.