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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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January 10, 1988 · Fairchild SA226T · N800AW

Pontiac, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 10, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Pontiac, MI
Aircraft
Fairchild SA226T
Tail Number
N800AW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88FA041

ACFT WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. DURING THE WX BRIEFING, THE CFI TOLD THE FSS SPECIALIST THAT THE FLT WOULD INCLUDE ENG-OUT PRACTICE. WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE ACFT ROLLED SHARPLY TO THE RT AND NOSED DOWN AFTER ATTAINING ABOUT 100 FT OF ALT DURING THE CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND LEFT PROP AND LEFT WING TIP FIRST, IN AN INVERTED FLT ATTITUDE. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, THE RT ENG PWR LEVER WAS SUBJECTED TO LAB EXAM AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER AFT PART OF THE LIFT GATE DETENT WAS WORN. THIS CREATED A RAMPING EFFECT BETWEEN THE ROUNDED EDGE OF THE LIFT GATE AND THE FLT IDLE STOP. A WORN LIFT GATE DETENT WOULD ALLOW THE POWER LEVER TO INADVERTENTLY BE MOVED INTO THE BETA RANGE, CAUSING ASYMMETRICAL DRAG AND DEGRADED AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, PARTICULARLY IN CRITICAL PHASES OF FLIGHT.

Full Narrative

ACFT WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. DURING THE WX BRIEFING, THE CFI TOLD THE FSS SPECIALIST THAT THE FLT WOULD INCLUDE ENG-OUT PRACTICE. WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE ACFT ROLLED SHARPLY TO THE RT AND NOSED DOWN AFTER ATTAINING ABOUT 100 FT OF ALT DURING THE CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND LEFT PROP AND LEFT WING TIP FIRST, IN AN INVERTED FLT ATTITUDE. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, THE RT ENG PWR LEVER WAS SUBJECTED TO LAB EXAM AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER AFT PART OF THE LIFT GATE DETENT WAS WORN. THIS CREATED A RAMPING EFFECT BETWEEN THE ROUNDED EDGE OF THE LIFT GATE AND THE FLT IDLE STOP. A WORN LIFT GATE DETENT WOULD ALLOW THE POWER LEVER TO INADVERTENTLY BE MOVED INTO THE BETA RANGE, CAUSING ASYMMETRICAL DRAG AND DEGRADED AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, PARTICULARLY IN CRITICAL PHASES OF FLIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:17 EST
Nearest AirportOakland Pontiac (0nm N)
Runway27L
Runway Length6200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild SA226T
Tail NumberN800AW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331-100 · Turboprop · 840
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point7 C / 1 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:19
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data