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NTSB Report

May 11, 1991 · Short Brothers SD3-60 · N715NC

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status

Probable Cause

Event Type

Accident

Date

May 11, 1991

Injury Outcomes

No injuries (21 uninjured)

Location

Chicago, IL

Aircraft

Short Brothers SD3-60

Tail Number

N715NC

Operator

Simmons Airlines/Am Eagle

Injuries

None

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

CHI91FA152

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING POST LANDING TAXI OPERATIONS, HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE AIRPLANE OR APPLY NORMAL BRAKES. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE TAXIWAY, AND RAN ACROSS A GRASS MEDIAN AND SERVICE ROAD BEFORE IT IMPACTED A LIGHT POLE AND CAME TO A STOP. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED NOSEWHEEL STEERING HYDRAULIC LINE, WHICH ALLOWED SYSTEM FLUID TO BE PORTED OVERBOARD INTO THE NOSE WHEELWELL. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LINE FAILED AS A RESULT OF A PUNCTURE OF THE INTERNAL HOSE BY THE WORN/FRAYED OUTER BRAID. RECORDS INDICATE THE FAILED LINE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD OPERATED THROUGH 17,969 HOURS AND 21,324 CYCLES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING HYDRAULIC LINE DURING AFTER LANDING GROUND OPERATIONS. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT STANDARDS.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING POST LANDING TAXI OPERATIONS, HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE AIRPLANE OR APPLY NORMAL BRAKES. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE TAXIWAY, AND RAN ACROSS A GRASS MEDIAN AND SERVICE ROAD BEFORE IT IMPACTED A LIGHT POLE AND CAME TO A STOP. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED NOSEWHEEL STEERING HYDRAULIC LINE, WHICH ALLOWED SYSTEM FLUID TO BE PORTED OVERBOARD INTO THE NOSE WHEELWELL. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THE LINE FAILED AS A RESULT OF A PUNCTURE OF THE INTERNAL HOSE BY THE WORN/FRAYED OUTER BRAID. RECORDS INDICATE THE FAILED LINE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD OPERATED THROUGH 17,969 HOURS AND 21,324 CYCLES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time15:18 CDT

Nearest AirportO'Hare International (0nm N)

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledIFR

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftShort Brothers SD3-60

Tail NumberN715NC

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageSubstantial

OperatorSimmons Airlines/Am Eagle

Operating RulePart 121

Engines2

Engine TypeTurboprop

Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-65AR · Turboprop · 1424

Seats40

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (21 uninjured)

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured21

Total21

Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind200° @ 10 kt

Visibility7 sm

CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft

Temperature / Dew Point68 F

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time20:31

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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May 11, 1991 · Short Brothers SD3-60 · N715NC

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