# NTSB GAA18CA098: Swearingen SA227, N561UP, Rock Springs, WY, January 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 10, 2018, 18:45 local (Jan 11, 2018, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, WY - Coordinates: 41.598888, -109.063888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5989&lon=-109.0639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96592/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96592 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing in gusting tailwind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Swearingen SA227-AT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8780610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taxiing with a tailwind, he realized that the airplane was moving too fast and that he then applied brakes and reverse engine thrust. He added that he attempted to turn the airplane but was unable to do so and that a strong crosswind "forced" the airplane to the left and off the airport parking ramp. Subsequently, the airplane struck a lamp post and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while taxing with a tailwind, he realized the airplane was moving too fast and applied brakes and reverse thrust of the engines. He added that he attempted to turn but was unable, and a strong crosswind "forced" the airplane to the left and off of the airport parking ramp. Subsequently, the airplane struck a lamp post and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported, that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N561UP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N561UP), registered now, S/N AT-561, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA227 (AT) - Registry model: [Swearingen SA227-AT](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa227-at) (registry code 8780610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AT-561 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 23398.8 - Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE331 SERIES turbo prop; AIRESEARCH TPE331 SERIES turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Ameriflight, LLC - Registered owner: Uas Transervices, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 8, 2018 - Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Destination: RKS, Rock Springs, WY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: RKS, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County - Equipment: Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,650 total, 360 in this make and model, 4,985 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 280° at 21 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KRKS, 1 nm away ## 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 20180110000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180110000609A), Jan 10, 2018: Swearingen SA227-AT, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. On 01/10/2018 at about 1915 MST, N561UP, a SA-227 metroliner operated by ameriflight LLC, collided with a ramp light post during taxi on the grounds of Rock… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96592. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 856 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460535&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460536&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Master.PDF 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.