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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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October 31, 1986 · Fairchild Swearingen SA-226TC · N137WW

Santa Barbara, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 11 uninjured
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Aircraft
Fairchild Swearingen SA-226TC
Tail Number
N137WW
Operator
Wings West Airlines
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87FA028

ON A DARK NIGHT, IN CAVU WEATHER, THE CAPTAIN DIRECTED THE FIRST OFFICER (WHO WAS FLYING) TO DISARM THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN SYSTEM BY PULLING ITS CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE F/O COMPLIED & DID NOT CHALLENGE THE CAPTAIN. ON FINAL APPROACH THE F/O FAILED TO CHECK THAT HIS 'GEAR DOWN' COMMAND WAS COMPLIED WITH & THE CAPTAIN FORGOT TO LOWER THE GEAR. AS THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP ON ITS BELLY THE RIGHT ENGINE'S 3 PROP BLADES FRAGMENTED & PUNCTURED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE 2 PAX WHO WERE SEATED IN ROW 2 ABEAM THE BLADES' PLANE OF ROTATION WERE STRUCK BY FRAGMENTS & RECEIVED SERIOUS LEG & MINOR FACIAL LACERATIONS.

Full Narrative

ON A DARK NIGHT, IN CAVU WEATHER, THE CAPTAIN DIRECTED THE FIRST OFFICER (WHO WAS FLYING) TO DISARM THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN SYSTEM BY PULLING ITS CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE F/O COMPLIED & DID NOT CHALLENGE THE CAPTAIN. ON FINAL APPROACH THE F/O FAILED TO CHECK THAT HIS 'GEAR DOWN' COMMAND WAS COMPLIED WITH & THE CAPTAIN FORGOT TO LOWER THE GEAR. AS THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP ON ITS BELLY THE RIGHT ENGINE'S 3 PROP BLADES FRAGMENTED & PUNCTURED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE 2 PAX WHO WERE SEATED IN ROW 2 ABEAM THE BLADES' PLANE OF ROTATION WERE STRUCK BY FRAGMENTS & RECEIVED SERIOUS LEG & MINOR FACIAL LACERATIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:35 PST
Nearest AirportSanta Barbara (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length6049 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild Swearingen SA-226TC
Tail NumberN137WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWings West Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331-10-VA · Turboprop · 840
Seats18

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 11 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured11
Total14
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind10° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:37
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data