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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 9, 1990 · Fairchild SA227-AC · N445AC

Covington, KY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Covington, KY
Aircraft
Fairchild SA227-AC
Tail Number
N445AC
Operator
Comair
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO91LA011

THE PILOT, A COMPANY CHECK AIRMAN, AND AN FAA INSPECTOR WERE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT FOR A CHECKRIDE WHICH WAS INTENDED TO REASSESS THE PILOT'S COMPETENCY. A MAINTENANCE TEST (AILERON RIGGING) WAS TO BE PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHECK RIDE. THE FIRST MANEUVER TO BE PERFORMED WAS A NO-FLAP LANDING. ALL THREE PILOTS STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY MANAGING THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN; AIRSPEEDS WERE TOO SLOW, AND THE PILOT WAS CONSTANTLY MANIPULATING POWER. THE PILOT NEVER CALLED FOR THE BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST, AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY WITH THE LANDING GEAR UP. THE CHECK PILOT STATED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN CAME ON BRIEFLY, BUT THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND SILENCED THE HORN. THE FAA INSPECTOR WAS SEATED IN A PASSENGER SEAT FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING, AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT EXTENDED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. CHECKRIDE-INDUCED PRESSURE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT, A COMPANY CHECK AIRMAN, AND AN FAA INSPECTOR WERE ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT FOR A CHECKRIDE WHICH WAS INTENDED TO REASSESS THE PILOT'S COMPETENCY. A MAINTENANCE TEST (AILERON RIGGING) WAS TO BE PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHECK RIDE. THE FIRST MANEUVER TO BE PERFORMED WAS A NO-FLAP LANDING. ALL THREE PILOTS STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY MANAGING THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN; AIRSPEEDS WERE TOO SLOW, AND THE PILOT WAS CONSTANTLY MANIPULATING POWER. THE PILOT NEVER CALLED FOR THE BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST, AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY WITH THE LANDING GEAR UP. THE CHECK PILOT STATED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN CAME ON BRIEFLY, BUT THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND SILENCED THE HORN. THE FAA INSPECTOR WAS SEATED IN A PASSENGER SEAT FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING, AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT EXTENDED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:23 EST
Nearest AirportGreater Cinncinnati Int'L (0nm N)
Runway9R
Runway Length7800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild SA227-AC
Tail NumberN445AC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorComair
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331 · Turboprop · 1000
Seats21

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind110° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data