# NTSB FTW86LA006: Fairchild F-27, N4302F, Houston, TX, October 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1985, 17:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.649528, -95.27906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6495&lon=-95.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21982
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21982/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - propeller system/accessories,electric pitch ctl - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (cause)
  - flight control,elevator surface - engaged (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. WINDS AT THE TIME WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN DIRECT CROSSWIND OF 9 KNS. THE CREW THAT WAS CONTRACTED TO FERRY THE ACFT NOTED, WHEN THEY PICKED IT UP, THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN EQUIPMENT DISCREPANCIES, INCLUDING ONE THAT STATED THAT THE PRIMARY PROP GROUND FINE PITCH CONTROL SYS WAS INOP. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT LNDG, THE CREW HAD MADE 2 LANDINGS USING THE SECONDARY SYS, WHICH INVOLVED ENGAGING THE GUST LOCK ON, MOMENTARILY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, TO ENGAGE THE PROP CONTROLS. THE PIC STATED THAT THIS PROCEDURE WAS DONE AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND THAT AT THE SAME TIME HE NOTICED THE ACFT VEERING LEFT. HE COULD NOT CORRECT WITH EITHER RUDDER OR NOSE GEAR STEERING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4302F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4302F-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 60, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD F-27
- Registry model: [Fairchild F-27](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-f-27) (registry code 3373002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce DART-510&511](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-dart-510-511) (registry code 54504, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYCE 514-7 1535 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don S. Burns
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: TPA, TAMPAS, FL
- Destination: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HOU, Houston Hobby, runway 22, 7,600 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,561 total, 1,512 in this make and model, 3,192 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU

## 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 19851007057319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851007057319A), Oct 7, 1985: Frchld F27FRCHLD, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Primary propeller ground fine system inoperative. Veered off runway side. Nose gear oleo strut failed, was cracked.

## Other investigations on N4302F (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC62A0006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC62A0006), Feb 25, 1962: Fairchild F-27 (N4302F), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage

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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