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July 27, 2019 · Swearingen SA227 AC · N681TR

El Paso, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
El Paso, TX
Aircraft
Swearingen SA227 AC (1987)
Tail Number
N681TR
Operator
Pak West Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA246

The captain noted that the purpose of the flight was second-in-command pilot training for the first officer and the observer, in turn. He reported that after takeoff, the landing gear retracted normally. The captain executed a practice instrument approach to a missed approach. When they attempted to retract the landing gear after initiating the missed approach, the left main gear in-transit light remained illuminated. The right main and nose landing gears retracted normally. Both hydraulic system low pressure warning lights subsequently illuminated. Efforts to troubleshoot using the emergency checklist and to extend the landing gear manually were not successful. The captain ultimately landed the airplane with the left main landing gear partially extended and subsequently lost directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with an airport sign. The airplane sustained damage to the outboard left wing, left main landing gear, and left propeller. During a postaccident examination, hydraulic fluid was observed in the left main landing gear wheel well; no hydraulic fluid was observed in the reservoir sight gauge or on the dip stick. Hydraulic pressure was subsequently applied to the airplane, and no leaks were observed in the landing gear system. Thus, the source of the hydraulic fluid leak could not be determined. In addition, the reason that the landing gear failed to fully extend during the emergency extension procedure could not be determined because no preaccident anomalies were observed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the left main landing gear to fully extend due to a lack of hydraulic fluid and during emergency extension procedures, which resulted in the collapse of the landing gear during landing and the subsequent runway excursion and collision with a sign.

Full Narrative

On July 27, 2019, about 0535 mountain daylight time, a Swearingen SA227 airplane, N681TR, was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing at the El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas. The captain, first officer, and observer were not injured. The airplane was registered to Sierra West Airlines, Inc. and operated by Pak West Airline dba Sierra West Airlines as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from ELP about 0430. The captain noted the purpose of the flight was second-in-command pilot training for the first officer and the observer in turn. He reported that after takeoff the landing gear retracted normally. They executed a practice instrument approach to a missed approach. When attempting to retract that landing gear after initiating the missed approach, the left main gear in-transit light remained illuminated. The right main and nose landing gears retracted normally. Both hydraulic system low pressure warning lights subsequently illuminated. Efforts to troubleshoot the problem using the emergency checklist and extend the landing gear manually were not successful. The captain ultimately landed with the left main landing gear partially extended. The subsequent loss of directional control resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with an airport sign. A postaccident examination revealed damage to the outboard left wing, left main landing gear and left propeller. Some hydraulic fluid was present in the left main landing gear wheel well and no hydraulic fluid was observed in the reservoir sight gauge or on the dip stick. The base manager for the airline reported that the left main landing gear drag brace failed consistent with the accident. The actuator and brace were replaced to allow the airplane to "stand" on the left main landing gear. Hydraulic pressure was subsequently applied to the airplane, and no leaks were observed in the landing gear system. A leak was observed in the hydraulic line to the left flap; however, that also appeared to have been a result of the accident. Airplane maintenance records indicated that hydraulic fluid leaks in the left main landing gear wheel well were noted on June 25th and again on 26th; about 30 days before the accident flight. These were repaired and the airplane was returned to service. On June 30th, the hydraulic fluid level was low and was replenished. About 30 hours flight time elapsed between that maintenance action and the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:35 MDT
Nearest AirportEl Paso Int'L (0nm N)
Runway26L
Runway Length9025 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSwearingen SA227 AC
Tail NumberN681TR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPak West Airlines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331 · Turboprop · 1000 | Garrett · TPE331 · Turboprop · 1000
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 25 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time11:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data