# NTSB DEN85FA113: Swearingen SA-227-AC, N3005J, Williston, ND, April 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1985, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Williston, ND
- Coordinates: 48.159343, -103.630187 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1593&lon=-103.6302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA113

## 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
  - checklist - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not identified, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - complacency, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT CREW STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL FROM RAP TO INS. THE FIRST OFFICER WAS FLYING THE ACFT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE FLT CREW ALL CHECKLIST ITEMS HAD BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE LANDING. THE ACFT MADE GND CONTACT WITH THE LANDING GEAR IN THE /UP' POSITION. THE CPT TOOK CONTROLL AND EXECUTED A GO-AROUND. THE LANDING GEAR WAS LOWERED MANUALLY AND THE RT ENG SHUTDOWN FOLLOWED BY AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. THREE WITNESSES STATED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS IN THE UP POSITION THROUGHOUT THE APPROACH AND LANDING PHASES. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND WITH LANDING GEAR COMPONENTS OR SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3005J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-227-AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC-442
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Pioneer Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pioneer Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Destination: ISN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 1SN, Sloulin Field Int'L, runway 11, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 21 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850407011069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850407011069A), Apr 7, 1985: Swrngn SA227AC, Williston, ND, Substantial damage. Go around after propellers struck the runway. Landing gear had not been extended for landing.

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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