# NTSB FTW92FA218: Fairchild SA 227-AC, N342AE, Hot Springs, AR, August 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1992, 05:15 local (10:15 UTC)
- Place: Hot Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 34.450389, -93.099578 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4504&lon=-93.0996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 87-02-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-02-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA218

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION BY THE OPERATOR'S MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE PROPER TRAVEL DIRECTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROLS AFTER BEING MADE AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,aileron control - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT WAS BEING FLOWN FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 87-02-02 REQUIRING THE MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF ALL PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES. FOLLOWING LIFT-OFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE START A RAPID ROLL TO THE RIGHT UNTIL INITIAL IMPACT WAS MADE WITH THE GROUND BY THE RIGHT WING TIP. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE A HALF TURN IN THE ROUTING OF THE REPLACED FLIGHT CONTROL CABLE WAS INADVERTENTLY OMITTED ON BOTH CONTROL COLUMNS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE AILERONS OPERATING IN REVERSE OF THE COMMANDED INPUT. THE PASSENGER WAS THE QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR WHO HAD INSPECTED AND SIGNED OFF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPANY PERSONNEL, HE HAD BRIEFED THE CREW PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT ON THE PURPOSE OF THE TEST FLIGHT AND THE EXTENT OF THE MAINTENANCE THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N342AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N342AE-1992-11-20), registration cancelled 1992-11-20, S/N AC545 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA 227-AC
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa227-ac) (registry code 8780603) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC-545
- Airframe hours: 19889
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-611 1100 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Lone Star Airlines
- Registered owner: Mcc Financial Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 1992, 48 hours before
- Departed: HOT
- Destination: HOT
- Airport: HOT, Hot Springs Memorial, runway 13, 4,099 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,828 total, 667 in this make and model, 1,548 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F

## 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 19920825035669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920825035669A), Aug 25, 1992: Swrngn SA227AC, Hot Springs, AR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Dragged wing on maintenance test flight. Cartwheeled and burned. Newly installed aileron cables routed incorrectly.

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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