# NTSB FTW93LA131: Hispano Aviacion HA-200, N554GA, Walnut Ridge, AR, April 16, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 1993, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Walnut Ridge, AR - Coordinates: 36.059082, -90.949317 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0591&lon=-90.9493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA131 ## Probable cause A CORRODED BLEED AIR CHECK VALVE AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OT THE RIGHT WING'S FUEL TRANSFER SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - bleed air system,valve - corroded (cause) - fuel system,transfer pump - inoperative (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear - collapsed ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT NOTED A RIGHT WING HEAVY CONDITION. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE CONDITION BY TURNING THE AIR PRESSURE VALVE FROM BOTH TIP TANKS TO THE RIGHT TIP TANK. AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED AND A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LATERAL BALANCE LIMITS COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT AND THE RIGHT WING TANK STRUCK THE GROUND. THE WIND WAS GUSTING BETWEEN 20 TO 35 KNOTS AT THE TIME, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AS CONTROL WAS LOST. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED BEFORE THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST. A SMALL FIRE STARTED AFTER THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRPLANE. TESTING WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THE COMPONENTS FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE FAA. THE RESULTS OF THE TESTS REVEALED AN INOPERATIVE RIGHT WING BLEED AIR CHECK VALVE. IT WAS FOUND CORRODED WITH THE PLUNGER AND SPRING STUCK ## Factual narrative On April 16, 1993, at approximately 1715 central daylight time, a Hispano Aviacion HA 200 multiengine turbojet airplane, N554GA, was substantially damaged during landing at Walnut Ridge Regional Airport, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot had departed from Grain Valley, Missouri, and was en route to Gadsden, Alabama, when he noted that the airplane's right wing felt heavy, according to his statement to the FAA inspector. Corrective measures did not resolve the problem. He elected to land at Walnut Ridge Regional Airport as a precaution. He stated that during the landing roll he had to use both hands to hold the control stick in the full left position. He also reported that the wind was gusting from 20 up to 35 knots. The right wing tip struck the runway's surface resulting in a loss of control. The airplane veered off the runway followed by the landing gear collapsing, and a post accident fire. Under the direction of the FAA, the fuel system's components were examined and tested. The right wing's bleed air check valve was found corroded with the plunger and spring stuck making it inoperative, according to the FAA. ## Aircraft - Registration: N554GA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: HISPANO AVIACION HA-200 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20/72 - Airframe hours: 972 - Engines: TURBOMECA MARBOREII.3 880 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chinnery, Robert G. - Registered owner: Chinnery, Robert G. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, March 1, 1993, 26 hours before - Departed: 3GV, GRAIN VALLEY, MO - Destination: GAD, GADSDEN, AL - Airport: ARG, Walnut Ridge, runway 31, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,036 total, 26 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 16 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °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 19930416009479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930416009479A), Apr 16, 1993: Hspavn HA200, Walnut Ridge, AR, Substantial damage. Right wing heavy. Diverted to check problem. Lost control landing. Inop bleed air valve to pressurize fuel tank. 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.