# NTSB NYC02LA047: Swearingen SA-227-AT, N556UP, Covington, KY, January 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 8, 2002, 05:26 local (10:26 UTC) - Place: Covington, KY - Coordinates: 39.052501, -84.651664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0525&lon=-84.6517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53991/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53991 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA047 ## Probable cause the tug driver's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in his failure to see the airplane in time to prevent the collision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - vehicle - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was taxiing an airplane across an open lighted ramp area at night. He observed a tug closing from his left side and when the tug did not give way to the airplane, he initiated braking. The tug struck the airplane on the nose, inflicting substantial damage. The tug driver reported that he did not observe the airplane in time to prevent the collision. No obstructions to visibility were present for the pilot or tug driver. Airport rules required vehicles to yield the right-of-way to airplanes. ## Factual narrative On January 8, 2002, at 0526 eastern standard time, a Swearingen SA-227-AT, N556UP, operated by Ameriflight, Inc., as flight 667, was struck by a tug while taxiing for departure at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Covington, Kentucky. The certificated airline transport pilot received minor injuries, and the tug driver was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the cargo flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. The accident occurred at the west end of concourse A, between concourses A and B. The airplane was taxiing east in the open area between the concourses. The tug was southbound on a road between concourses A and B. The road crossed the taxipath of the airplane, and the ramp area was illuminated by flood lights. Yield signs were present where the roadway entered the ramp, and the roadway was defined by painted lines on the ramp. According to a written statement from the pilot: "...At a point a little short of halfway between spot 2C and 3, my airplane was hit from the left side by Delta tug towing a cart. I hit my forehead on the left side windshield which left a welt on my forehead." According to a written statement from the tug driver: "...I had 3 oversize bags to take out to B-18...As I passed A-Concourse to enter the mid-ramp, I checked both ways for traffic. I did not see aircraft or lights and proceeded across the taxi way in the designated drive lane, just west of A-Hub. It was very dark and as I was in the taxi-way, all of a sudden I noticed an aircraft right on top of me to the right side. I immediately swerved to the left but was unable to avoid a collision. The aircraft's left prop struck my bag cart and knocked the cart over. There was also damage to wing and nose of the aircraft and the passenger side window of my tug was broken...." According to a written statement from a witness: "...I was driving a tug and was in between gates A-1 and A-3. I witnessed a tug and cart being driven across the taxiway between A Concourse and heading toward B concourse. I then saw a small plane taxiing east, faster than a typical speed. the aircraft lights were on. I then watched as the tug and car and the airplane closed on each other. The plane hit the bag cart on the wing, then the bag cart tipped over and slammed against the driver door on the bag tug...." Interviews were conducted by the airport police. According to the statement from the investigating officer: "...[the pilot] stated that he was taxiing the aircraft eastbound on the north taxi land between A and B concourse. When he approaching the ramp road that runs north and south near the west side of A concourse he observed a tug crossing the ramp road. Once he realized that the tug was not going to stop he hit the brakes. He stated that he could not avoid the accident. [the tug driver]...stated that he was driving south on the ramp road. He stated that when he looked he did not see any aircraft on the taxi lanes. As he continued across the ramp he suddenly looked up and saw the aircraft but it was too late. He stated that he attempted to turn hard left but it was too late." In a follow-up telephone interview, the police officer reported that ramp-side driving rules give the right of way to airplanes, yield signs were present on the roadway where the roads entered the ramp area, the ramp was dry and no ice was present, and there were no obstructions to visibility for the tug driver or pilot. The pilot had been on duty for 9 hours at the time of the accident, following 12 hours off duty. He was on his second day of duty following 2 days off duty. The tug driver had been on duty for 26 minutes at the time of the accident, following 16 hours off duty. He was on his second day of duty following 2 days off duty. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N556UP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N556UP-2025-08-20), registration cancelled 2025-08-20, S/N AT-556, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-227-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-556 - Airframe hours: 14650 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-11U 1000 horsepower turbo prop; Garrett TPE-331-11U 1000 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Ameriflight Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, November 7, 2001, 123 hours before - Departed: CVG, Covington, KY - Destination: BHM, Birmingham, AL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CVG, Northern Kentucky Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 6,591 total, 512 in this make and model, 278 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: CVG, 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 20020108000109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020108000109A), Jan 8, 2002: Swrngn SA227AT, Covington/Cinci, KY, No damage. (-23) The aircraft was taxiing eastbound on cvg delta ramp between spot 2C and spot 3 on the north line between concourse a and b. the aircraft was approaching… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53991. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Airport Maps (item 2, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Maps-Master.PDF - Police Report (excerpted) (item 3, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report%20(excerpted)-Redacted.PDF - Tug Driver Statement & Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40147424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tug%20Driver%20Statement%20%26%20Witness%20Statement-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.