# NTSB MIA91LA167: Swearingen SA227-TT, N13JV, Tupelo, MS, June 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1991, 17:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Tupelo, MS
- Coordinates: 34.259277, -88.73027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2593&lon=-88.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA167

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE NOSE STEERING ACTUATOR ARMING VALVE BY A MECHANIC WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE ACTUATOR AND ON GROUND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT DURING LANDING ROLLOUT.

## 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 - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

ACFT MADE SHARP RIGHT TURN AND DEPARTED RUNWAY WHEN NOSE STEERING WAS ACTIVATED DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE NOSE STEERING ACTUATOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE UNIT'S ARMING VALVE WAS BACKED OUT AND NOT SECURED BY A REQUIRED SET SCREW. THE SEATS FOR THE VALVE WERE THE INCORRECT SEATS. THESE TWO FINDINGS CAUSED THE ACTUATOR TO HAVE INTERNAL LEAKAGE WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE ACTUATOR. LOGBOOK RECORDS INDICATED THE ARMING VALVE WAS CHANGED BY A MECHANIC IN THE FIELD IN SEPTEMBER 1988, 401 FLT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. IN APRIL 1989, FAIRCHILD AIRCRAFT ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT REQUIRED THE ACTUATOR BE RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ARMING VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13JV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA227-TT
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TT512A
- Airframe hours: 1241
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David G. Chase
- Registered owner: David G. Chase
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 15, 1991, 29 hours before
- Departed: FPR, FT. PIERCE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TUP, Tupelo Municipal, runway 18, 5,499 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 704 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 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 19910623023149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910623023149A), Jun 23, 1991: Swrngn SA227TT, Tupelo, MS, Substantial damage. Hard right turn as steering activated on landing. Left runway collapsed nose gear. Steering improperly repaired.

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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