# NTSB DFW05LA029: Convair 580, N161FL, McAllen, TX, December 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 2004, 14:41 local (20:41 UTC) - Place: McAllen, TX - Coordinates: 26.175832, -98.238609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1758&lon=-98.2386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60669 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60669/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA029 ## Probable cause The failure to activate the hydraulic pump which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control. ## 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 - hydraulic system,pump - not activated (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The 9,500-hour ATP-rated pilot was forced to secure the left engine during a maintenance test flight following the malfunction of the left propeller. The crew executed single-engine instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 13. During short final, the crew noticed that the alternator light was illuminated and the hydraulic pressure gauge indicated "0" pressure. The landing gear was already extended and the flaps were partially extended, so the crew elected to continue the approach to a full-stop landing. Upon landing, the pilot immediately turned on the direct current (DC) hydraulic pump. The pilot added that he then realized that he was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane due to the lack of nose wheel steering and the ineffective wheel brakes. As a result, the airplane continued to veer to the right and exited the runway. The airplane collided with the airport perimeter fence and continued down into a drainage ditch. The examination of the aircraft revealed that the hydraulic pump switch did not appear as if it had been turned on. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 2004, approximately 1441 central standard time, a Convair 580 twin-engine airplane, N161FL, registered to and operated by IFL Group, Inc., of Waterford, Michigan, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of directional control while landing at McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE), near McAllen, Texas. The airline transport pilot (ATP), commercial pilot, and mechanic were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed for the local flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The maintenance flight originated from MFE approximately 1354. In a telephone interview with an NTSB representative, the 9,500-hour airline transport pilot stated that the left propeller had recently been worked on, so he was performing a post-maintenance test flight to verify the condition of the propeller. During the flight, the crew shut down the left engine and then restarted the engine. After the engine was restarted, the propeller was not operating properly, so the crew elected to secure the engine and return to the airport for a single-engine landing. The crew proceeded to execute the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 13. After breaking through the overcast ceiling at 500 feet above the ground, the crew prepared for a full-stop landing on runway 13 ( 7,120- foot long, by 150- foot wide). Just prior to touch-down, the crew noticed that the alternator light was illuminated and the hydraulic pressure gauge indicated "0" pressure. The landing gear was already extended and the flaps were partially extended, and since they were on a single-engine approach, the crew elected to land the airplane. The pilot reported that upon touch-down, he immediately turned on the direct current (DC) hydraulic pump. He then realized he was unable to use steer the airplane due to the lack of nose wheel steering, and the wheel brakes were ineffective. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane veered to the right and exited the runway. The airplane collided with the airport perimeter fence and continued down into a drainage ditch. There was no post-impact fire. The first officer submitted a written statement that described the same sequence of events. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the fuselage. Additionally, the leading edge of both wings exhibited large impact marks from the fence posts. The operator reported that following the accident, the airplane was examined by a company mechanic. No leaks were found, and there appeared to be a sufficient amount of normal hydraulic fluid in the system. The operator also reported that the DC hydraulic pump switch did not appear as if it had been turned on and added that the switch was underneath a switch guard that was in place. At 1353, the automated weather observing system at MFE reported wind from 350 degrees at five knots, five statute miles visibility, mist, overcast clouds at 500 feet, temperature 59 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N161FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161FL-2005-02-11), registration cancelled 2005-02-11, S/N 430, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Convair 580 - Registry model: [Convair 440](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-440) (registry code 2422902) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 501-D13 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-501-d13-series) (registry code 03004, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 430 - Airframe hours: 29586.7 - Engines: Allison 501-D13D 4000 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: IFL Group Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 15, 2004, 49.4 hours before - Departed: MFE, McAllen, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MFE, McAllen Miller International, runway 13, 7,120 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 25, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 9,200 as pilot in command, 310 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 4, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 453 total, 120 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MFE ## 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 20041204031319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041204031319A), Dec 4, 2004: Cvac 440, Mc Allen, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Block 17, aero product A6411 FN-606/606A. On a maintenence flight to check out the propeller on the left engine, the left engine was shut down and… 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.