# NTSB FTW85LAMS2: Swearingen SA-226T, N3RB, Missing, September 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1985, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Missing
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LAMS2

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

A DISTRESS MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT STATING HE WAS 100 MILES SOUTH OF GRAND ISLE, LA, AND HAD LOST AN ENG ANDWAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. A SECOND MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS STATING THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT 1500 FEET AND THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO DITCH THE AIRCRAFT. NO FURTHER CONTACTS AND NO ELT SIGNALS WERE HEARD. THE ACFT WRECKAGE HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3RB-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N T214, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-226T
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA-226T](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-226t) (registry code 8780122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T214
- Engines: GARRETT TPE3313U303G 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Orville Obrian
- Registered owner: Duke Leasing Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MZBZ, BELIZE, CA
- Destination: MSY, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850917045529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850917045529A), Sep 17, 1985: Swrngn SA226T, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed. Reported unable to maintain altitude after one engine shut down. Reason unknown. Ditched in Gulf, presumed fatal.

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.