# NTSB FTW89LA146: Hawker Siddeley DH-125-3A, N66HA, Houston, TX, August 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 26.189176, -97.679573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1892&lon=-97.6796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA146

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S HESITATION REACHING FOR THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING TILLER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN A DH-125.

## 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
  - landing gear,steering system - undetermined (cause)
  - nosewheel steering - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - 
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING LANDING, UPON NOSE WHEEL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE RUNWAY HARD SURFACE AND CROSSED A DITCH COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE CREW STATED THAT FULL LEFT RUDDER AND DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING WOULD NOT STOP THE RIGHT DRIFT, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN GRASS UNCONTROLLABLE BY THE TIME THE STEERING TILLER WAS REACHED. THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEM WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY THE IMPACT SEQUENCE WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL WELL AFT BULKHEAD WAS FORCED INTO THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT STATED THAT IF HE HAD BEEN 'SPRING LOADED TO THE TILLER' THAT HE COULD HAVE POSSIBLY KEPT THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE GRASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66HA-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 25126, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAWKER SIDDELEY DH-125-3A
- Registry model: [Hawker Siddeley DH.125-3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawker-siddeley-dh-125-3a) (registry code 4230126) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Brist Sid MARK-521](https://openairdocs.org/engine/brist-sid-mark-521) (registry code 10201, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25126
- Airframe hours: 3966
- Engines: Rolls-Royce VIPER 522 3360 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skytravel Inc.
- Registered owner: Associated Aircraft Sales, Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: HOU
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HOU, William P. Hobby, runway 12R, 7,601 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,180 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU

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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