# NTSB SEA07LA145: Swearingen SA-226T, N46SA, McCall, ID, April 1, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2007, 18:30 local (Apr 1, 2007, 00:30 UTC) - Place: McCall, ID - Coordinates: 44.888889, -116.101943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8889&lon=-116.1019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65916/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA145 ## Probable cause The nosewheel steering system's uncommanded turn during the landing roll, making it impossible for the pilot to maintain directional control. Factors include a snow bank running parallel to the side of the runway. ## Analysis The aircraft's touchdown and rollout were uneventful until the pilot activated/engaged the nosewheel steering system to make a left turn off the runway. At that time, the aircraft suddenly veered to the right and departed the side of the runway. After the aircraft departed the runway, it encountered a four-foot-high snow bank, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. After the accident, the nosewheel steering system was examined and tested, and it was determined that the nosewheel was making uncommanded turns when the system was activated. The source of the system malfunction that lead to the uncommanded turns could not be positively identified. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2007, approximately 1830 mountain daylight time, a Swearingen SA-226T, N46SA, departed the runway and impacted a snow bank during the landing roll at McCall Municipal Airport, McCall, Idaho. The airline transport pilot and his six passengers were not injured, but the aircraft, which is registered to Matheson-Talmage LLC, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, which departed Paine Field, Everett, Washington, approximately two hours and fifteen minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft had been on an IFR flight plan. According to the pilot, the touchdown and rollout were uneventful until he activated/engaged the nose wheel steering system to make a left turn off the runway. At that time, the aircraft suddenly veered to the right and departed the side of the runway. After the aircraft departed the runway, it encountered a four foot high snow bank, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. After the accident, the nose wheel steering system was examined and tested, and it was determined that the nose wheel was making uncommanded turns when the system was activated. The source of the system malfunction that lead to the uncommanded turns could not be positively identified. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,steering system - uncommanded (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46SA), registered now, S/N T231, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Swearingen SA-226T - Registry model: [Swearingen SA-226T](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-226t) (registry code 8780122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch 331SER 705HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-331ser-705hp) (registry code 01506, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T231 - Airframe hours: 6159 - Engines: Garrett-AiResearch D-10 840 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Matheson-Talmage - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: KPAE, Paine Field, WA - Destination: KMYL, McCall, ID - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KMYL, McCall Municipal Airport, runway 16, 6,107 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 5,300 total, 30 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft - Temperature: 45 °F ## 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 20070331007099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070331007099A), Mar 31, 2007: Swrngn SA226T, Mc Call, ID, Minor damage. (-23) Aircraft landed on runway 16 at mccall, Idaho. Pilot lost control and aircraft went off west side of runway and hit a snow bank. 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.