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NTSB Report
April 23, 1989 · Fairchild Swearingen SA-227AC · N3044J
New York, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (241 uninjured)
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
Fairchild Swearingen SA-227AC
Tail Number
N3044J
Operator
Pocono Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
NYC89IA123
TWO 747S WERE ON APPROACH FOR RWY 31R, FOLLOWED BY A SWEARINGEN SA 227AC MERLIN. THE MERLIN WAS GIVEN A VISUAL APPROACH WHICH THE PILOT ACCEPTED AND TRAFFIC HE WAS TO FOLLOW WAS CALLED AS BEING AT THE 11 O'OCLOCK POSITION. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE FIRST 747 ONLY 10 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE NOSE OF THE MERLIN WHICH THE FLIGHT CREW IDENTIFIED AS THE TRAFFIC TO FOLLOW. THE SECOND 747 WHICH WAS THE ONE TO BE FOLLOWED WAS 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE NOSE. THE MERLIN PASSED APPROXIMATELY 300 FT OVER THE TOP OF THE 2ND 747 IN THE VICINITY OF THE OUTER MARKER WHILE ON THE VISUAL APPROACH. NO EVASIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE CAPTAIN OF THE MERLIN SAID HE NORMALLY FLYS 1 TO 1 1/2 DOTS HIGH ON THE GLIDE SLOPE FOR WAKE TURBULENCE. THE SUN WAS AT AN ANGLE THAT BACKLIGHTED BOTH 747S.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE SWEARINGEN FLIGHT CREW TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE AIRPLANE THEY WERE TO FOLLOW, PRIOR TO ACCEPTING THE VISUAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 31R.
Full Narrative
TWO 747S WERE ON APPROACH FOR RWY 31R, FOLLOWED BY A SWEARINGEN SA 227AC MERLIN. THE MERLIN WAS GIVEN A VISUAL APPROACH WHICH THE PILOT ACCEPTED AND TRAFFIC HE WAS TO FOLLOW WAS CALLED AS BEING AT THE 11 O'OCLOCK POSITION. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE FIRST 747 ONLY 10 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE NOSE OF THE MERLIN WHICH THE FLIGHT CREW IDENTIFIED AS THE TRAFFIC TO FOLLOW. THE SECOND 747 WHICH WAS THE ONE TO BE FOLLOWED WAS 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE NOSE. THE MERLIN PASSED APPROXIMATELY 300 FT OVER THE TOP OF THE 2ND 747 IN THE VICINITY OF THE OUTER MARKER WHILE ON THE VISUAL APPROACH. NO EVASIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE CAPTAIN OF THE MERLIN SAID HE NORMALLY FLYS 1 TO 1 1/2 DOTS HIGH ON THE GLIDE SLOPE FOR WAKE TURBULENCE. THE SUN WAS AT AN ANGLE THAT BACKLIGHTED BOTH 747S.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:01 EDT
Nearest AirportJohn F Kennedy (0nm N)
Runway31R
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFairchild Swearingen SA-227AC
Tail NumberN3044J
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorPocono Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331-11U · Turboprop · 1000 | P&W · JT9D-7A · Turbofan · 45000
Seats20
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (241 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured241
Total241
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Crew 2Age 52 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 17 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 19 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC