# NTSB SEA91LA040: Swearingen SA-227, N385PH, Kalispell, MT, December 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1990, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.189331, -114.380966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1893&lon=-114.3810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 15 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA040

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT CREW'S INABLITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING IN SNOW-DEPTH CONDITIONS THAT HAD BEEN ERRONEOUSLY REPORTED AS BEING WITHIN OPERATING LIMITATIONS.

## Analysis

THE CREW OF THE SA-227 COMMUTER AIRLINER LOST DIRCTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING IN SNOW THAT WAS REPORTEDLY BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN INCHES DEEP. THE CREW HAD REQUESTED A SNOW-DEPTH REPORT, WHICH WAS RELAYED TO THEM BY AN AIRPORT SNOWPLOW OPERATOR, THROUGH THE AIRLINE'S OPERATIONS PERSONNEL. THE SNOW DEPTH HAD BEEN REPORTED AS ONE INCH AT THAT TIME. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE.

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - not maintained (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - misjudged, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - procedure inadequate, airport personnel (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N385PH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-227
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC-595
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-11U 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Horizon Airlines
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: GEG, SPOKANE, WA
- Destination: FCA, KALISPELL, MT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FCA, Glacier Int'L, runway 2, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,500 total, 1,230 in this make and model, 5,950 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCA

## 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 19901231061889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901231061889A), Dec 31, 1990: Swrngn SA227AC, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Landed on runway in deep snow. Hit drifts and veered off runway. Pilot had received report runway had 1 inch snow.

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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