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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 7, 1985 · Fairchild F-27 · N4302F

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Fairchild F-27
Tail Number
N4302F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86LA006

ACFT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. WINDS AT THE TIME WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN DIRECT CROSSWIND OF 9 KNS. THE CREW THAT WAS CONTRACTED TO FERRY THE ACFT NOTED, WHEN THEY PICKED IT UP, THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN EQUIPMENT DISCREPANCIES, INCLUDING ONE THAT STATED THAT THE PRIMARY PROP GROUND FINE PITCH CONTROL SYS WAS INOP. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT LNDG, THE CREW HAD MADE 2 LANDINGS USING THE SECONDARY SYS, WHICH INVOLVED ENGAGING THE GUST LOCK ON, MOMENTARILY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, TO ENGAGE THE PROP CONTROLS. THE PIC STATED THAT THIS PROCEDURE WAS DONE AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND THAT AT THE SAME TIME HE NOTICED THE ACFT VEERING LEFT. HE COULD NOT CORRECT WITH EITHER RUDDER OR NOSE GEAR STEERING.

Full Narrative

ACFT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. WINDS AT THE TIME WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN DIRECT CROSSWIND OF 9 KNS. THE CREW THAT WAS CONTRACTED TO FERRY THE ACFT NOTED, WHEN THEY PICKED IT UP, THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN EQUIPMENT DISCREPANCIES, INCLUDING ONE THAT STATED THAT THE PRIMARY PROP GROUND FINE PITCH CONTROL SYS WAS INOP. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT LNDG, THE CREW HAD MADE 2 LANDINGS USING THE SECONDARY SYS, WHICH INVOLVED ENGAGING THE GUST LOCK ON, MOMENTARILY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, TO ENGAGE THE PROP CONTROLS. THE PIC STATED THAT THIS PROCEDURE WAS DONE AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND THAT AT THE SAME TIME HE NOTICED THE ACFT VEERING LEFT. HE COULD NOT CORRECT WITH EITHER RUDDER OR NOSE GEAR STEERING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:42 CDT
Nearest AirportHouston Hobby (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length7600 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild F-27
Tail NumberN4302F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 514-7 · Turboprop · 1535
Seats46

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data