# NTSB SEA93LA053: Swearingen SA-226T(B), N161RS, John Day, OR, January 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1993, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.419975, -118.939338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4200&lon=-118.9393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  FACTORS INCLUDE A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE RUNWAY HAD NOT BEEN PLOWED RECENTLY.  DURING APPROACH, HE COULD IDENTIFY THE RUNWAY BECAUSE OF AIRPORT RUNWAY LIGHTS. HE STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT SNOW WAS THROWN UP BY THE PROPELLER(S) AFTER TOUCHDOWN, RESTRICTING HIS VISIBILITY.  HE ELECTED TO STAY ON THE GROUND AT THAT TIME RATHER THAN ATTEMPT A GO AROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING HIS ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161RS-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N T341 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-226T(B)
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA226-T(B)](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226-t-b) (registry code 8780406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T-341
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-10 900 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Prarie Wood Products
- Registered owner: Prarie Wood Products
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992
- Departed: RBG, ROSEBURG, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 5J0, John Day, runway 16, 4,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 88 in this make and model, 9,600 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19930116000399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930116000399A), Jan 16, 1993: Swrngn SA226TB, John Day, OR, Substantial damage. Blinded by snow after landing on unplowed runway. Exited runway,collapsed right main and nose gear in mud and snow.

## Other investigations on N161RS (1)

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 SEA90FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA080), May 20, 1990: Swearingen SA226-T(B) (N161RS), Coeur D'Alene, ID, minor damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: INADEQUATE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOT AND THE GROUND LINEMAN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: IMPAIRMENT OF THE GROUND LINEMAN FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL.

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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