# NTSB MKC82FA149: Swearingen SA226TC, N237AM, Kansas City, MO, August 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1982, 14:43 local (19:43 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, MO
- Location: 39.1229° N, 94.5928° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN/WHEELER FLD (MKC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1229&lon=-94.5928&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 12 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - jammed (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - movement restricted (cause)
  - door,landing gear - assembly (cause)
  - door,landing gear - loose (cause)
  - door,landing gear - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate airframe, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - attempted, pilot in command
  - information insufficient, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE APPROACH TO TOPEKA THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LEFT GEAR. THE CREW DIVERTED TO KANSAS CITY, AND AFTER MANY UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE LEFT GEAR ELECTED TO LAND WHEELS-UP. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS JAMMED INTO THE GEARDOORS. THE AFT HINGE BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE LEFT INBOARD GEAR DOOR, ALLOWING THE GEAR DOOR TO SHIFT JUST ENOUGH TO JAM THE GEAR AS IT STARTED TO EXTEND. 17 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE LOOSE AFT HINGE WAS NOTED DURING PREFLIGHT. COMPANY MAINTENANCE WAS UNABLE TO RETORQUE THE BOLT DUE TO THE NUTPLATE ATTACHMENT RIVETS BEING STRIPPED. THIS ITEM WAS BEING CARRIED AS A DELAYED DISCREPANCY. THESE PARTS CAN ONLY BE LUBRICATED BEFORE INSTALLATION. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT, REMOVE, LUBRICATE, INSTALL, TORQUE & SAFETY REPLACEMENT OF THE NUTPLATE IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR UNDERTAKING THE MANFACTURER STATED THAT "SHORT CYCLING" THE GEAR AS MANY AS 18 TIMES WOULD EVENTUALLY BREAK OPEN THE GEAR DOORS. THIS EMERGENCY METHOD OF EXTENDING THE GEAR HAD NOT BEEN DISSEMINATED TO ALL OPERATORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N237AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N237AM-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N TC332 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA226TC
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA226TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226tc) (registry code 8780404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC332
- Airframe hours: 4840
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Midwest
- Registered owner: Aviation Equipment Leasing, In
- Departed: ITC, WICHITA, KS
- Destination: TOE, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MKC, Downtown, runway 3, 5,052 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,273 total, 3,456 in this make and model, 2,742 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820820040429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820820040429A), Aug 20, 1982: Swrngn SA226TC, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. Aft hinge bolt was missing from left inboard landing gear door. This allowed the landing gear to jam up.

## Other investigations on N237AM (2)

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.

- [NTSB DEN84IA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84IA157), May 24, 1984: Swearingen SA226TC (N237AM), Albuquerque, NM, incident, minor damage
- [NTSB MKC83FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA072), Feb 25, 1983: Swearingen SA 226TC (N237AM), St. Louis, MO, minor 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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