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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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February 20, 1988 · Fairchild SA227-AC · N622AV

Cary, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
12 injuries (12 fatalities)
Location
Cary, NC
Aircraft
Fairchild SA227-AC
Tail Number
N622AV
Operator
Avair
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA88MA032

The aircraft departed during low ceiling, low visibility, and night conditions. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft impacted a reservoir. Analysis of radar data indicated the aircraft was in a 45 degree descending turn. Examination of the aircraft trim system showed that the aircraft was trimmed for level flight. There was no voice or flight data recorder on board. A review of ATC communications indicated that the captain was communicating with ATC allowing the first officer to accomplish the flying duties. Examination of the wreckage revealed no indications of powerplant or system failures. However, there was evidence that the SAS warning light was illuminated, the SAS switch was in the off position, and no SAS system malfunction could be found. Witnesses stated that before the flight the captain had complained of illness but he decided to report for duty. Company records showed instances of substandard performance by the first officer. The investigation found company oversight of training, operations, and inadequate FAA supervision. (See NTSB/AAR-88/10)

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED DURING LOW CEILING, LOW VISIBILITY, AND NIGHT CONDITIONS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A RESERVOIR. ANALYSIS OF RADAR DATA INDICATED THE ACFT WAS IN A 45 DEGREE DESCENDING TURN. EXAM OF THE ACFT TRIM SYSTEM SHOWED THAT THE ACFT WAS TRIMMED FOR LEVEL FLIGHT. THERE WAS NO VOICE OR FLIGHT DATA RECORDER ON BOARD. A REVIEW OF ATC COMMUNICATIONS INDICATED THAT THE CAPTAIN WAS COMMUNICATING WITH ATC ALLOWING THE FIRST OFFICER TO ACCOMP-LISH THE FLYING DUTIES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO INDICATIONS OF POWERPLANT OR SYSTEM FAILURES. HOWEVER, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE SAS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE SAS SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, AND NO SAS SYSTEMMALFUNCTION COULD BE FOUND. WITNESSES STATED THAT BEFORE THE FLIGHT THE CAPTAIN HAD COMPLAINED OF ILLNESS BUT HE DECIDEDTO REPORT FOR DUTY. COMPANY RECORDS SHOWED INSTANCES OF SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE BY THE FIRST OFFICER. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND COMPANY OVERSIGHT OF TRAINING, OPERATIONS, AND INADEQUATE FAA SUPERVISION. (SEE NTSB/AAR-88/10)

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:27 EST
Nearest AirportRaleigh/Durham (1nm W)
Runway23R
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild SA227-AC
Tail NumberN622AV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAvair
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331-11U-6 · Turboprop · 1000
Seats21

People & Injuries

Injury Summary12 injuries (12 fatalities)
Fatal12
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total12
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind226° @ 5 kt
Ceiling100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data