# NTSB FTW92LA228: Fairchild SA-227-AC, N2183A, San Antonio, TX, September 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1992, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.539995, -98.489433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5400&lon=-98.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA228

## Probable cause

THE LANDING CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE WAS EXCEEDED. THE LACK OF PERFORMANCE DATA WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (cause)
  - performance data - inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A FUNCTIONAL TEST FLIGHT AND QUALITATIVE ENGINEERING EVALUATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S LONGITUDINAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. DURING FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 12L, HE REDUCED THE ENGINES TO THE FLIGHT IDLE POSITIONS AND ESTABLISHED 95 KIAS. HE WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE FLARE TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE AND LANDED HARD ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS TAXIED TO THE RAMP AND SECURED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND OR REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2183A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2183A-1993-07-09), registration cancelled 1993-07-09, S/N AC422B (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: AC422B
- Airframe hours: 17936
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-11U 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Fairchild Aircraft Inc.
- Registered owner: Fairchild Aircraft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 18, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: SAT
- Airport: SAT, San Antonio Intl., runway 12, 8,600 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 650 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920918037689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920918037689A), Sep 18, 1992: Swrngn SA227AC, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Testing for landing with flight idle condition. Entered high sink rate. Unable recover. Wings,fuselage,prop 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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