# NTSB SEA85LA070: Fairchild SA-227AC, N3115U, Hailey, ID, March 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1985, 18:43 local (Mar 9, 1985, 01:43 UTC)
- Place: Hailey, ID
- Coordinates: 43.570755, -114.210685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5708&lon=-114.2107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 20 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA070

## 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
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate control location, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft manuals, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,steering system - inadequate (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

ON LDG THE EXPERIENCED CAPTN ENCOUNTERED A RIGHT DRIFT ON THE DRY RWY WITH NEGLIGIBLE WINDS. RUDDER/PWR/NOSEWHEEL STEERING INPUTS WERE INSUFFICIENT TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. RIGHT DRIFT TRANSLATED INTO A STRONG RIGHT SWERVE WITH CONTINUED APPLICATION OF FULL LEFT NOSEWHEEL STEERING AND SIMULTANEOUS BRAKING. ACFT DEPARTED RIGHT SIDE OF RWY AND NOSEWHEEL OBSERVED TRACKING STRAIGHT INTO SNOW & NO NOSEWHEEL SKID MARKS OBSERVED. TESTING REVEALED REDUCED NOSEWHEEL STEERING EFFECTIVENESS WITH DECREASING NOSE STRUT COMPRESSION DUE TO ENGAGEMENT OF CENTERING CAM. CAPTN REPORTED 'NOSE HIGH' TAXI ATTITUDE AND 'PITCH SENSITIVE' FLT. CAPTN/OTHER PLTS REPORTED DIFFICULTY ACHIEVING EQUAL BRAKING DURING CONDITIONS OF LARGE RUDDER PEDAL DISPLACEMENT. THIS CONDITION IS NOT ADDRESSED IN PLT/OPS MANUALS. CHECK OF BRAKE/NOSEWHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3115U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA-227AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC589
- Airframe hours: 904
- Engines: GARRETT TPE33111U611G 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Horizon Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: General Electric Credit Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: SUN, HAILEY, ID
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SUN, Friedman Memorial, runway 31, 6,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,900 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUN

## 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 19850308007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850308007959A), Mar 8, 1985: Swrngn SA227AC, Hailey, ID, Substantial damage. Collided with snowbank due to ineffective nose steering. Probable excessive weight in rear of aircraft.

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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