Swearingen SA227 Metro III

Operator:

Registration:

N622AV

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Raleigh - Richmond

MSN:

AC-622

YOM:

1985

Flight number:

CE3378

Location:

Raleigh-Durham

North Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3426

Captain / Total hours on type:

1836.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2080

Copilot / Total hours on type:

450

Aircraft flight hours:

4222

Circumstances:

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° 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. All 12 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a failure of the flight crew to maintain a proper flightpath. Contributing to the accident were the ineffective management and supervision of flight crew training and flight operations, and ineffective FAA surveillance of AVAir.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Kettwig: 21 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1988 at 0758 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

D-CABB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hanover - Düsseldorf

MSN:

AC-500

YOM:

1982

Flight number:

NS108

Location:

Kettwig

North Rhine-Westphalia

Country:

Germany

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2473

Captain / Total hours on type:

277.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2544

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1344

Aircraft flight hours:

9184

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Hanover Airport at 0715LT on a schedule service to Düsseldorf Airport, carrying 19 passengers and a crew of two. Following an uneventful flight at FL140, the crew started the descent at 0739LT. After being cleared to descend to 3,000 feet, the crew was informed about thunderstorm activity in the area and ATC informed the crew about a possible alternate route to avoid the area. This offer was denied by the crew who continued the descent. While flying in thunderstorm activity, the aircraft became unstable due to turbulences and lightnings strikes near the aircraft. After the failure of the electrical system, the crew lost control of the airplane that entered a dive, partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in an open field located about 2 km north of Kettwig, near the airport of Essen-Mülheim. All 21 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by the combination of the followings:
- The flight crew had continued into an area in which the occurrence of electrical discharge was to be expected, although avoiding the area would have been possible,
- The total electricity supply failed due to a lightning strike in significant instrument flight conditions, causing the failure of the cockpit- and instrument lighting and making it impossible to use the flaps and stabilizer trim,
- The plane had entered a largely uncontrolled flight after the power failure,
- The aircraft became overloaded during the uncontrolled flight aircraft during and disintegrated.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew did not agree on the flight path in the area of the thunderstorm,
- The crew were not prepared for a lightning strike,
- The crew possibly became physically and mentally impaired for a short time after the lightning strike,
- The crew could not understand each other for a short time after a short power failure because they wore headsets,
- When the lightning struck, the plane was in an unstabilized flight condition with nose trimmed down and flaps half way down,
- The crew was not able to restore power, probably because of the damage in the electrical wiring,
- The crew did not have sufficient means for orientation in order to transfer the plane back from a predominantly uncontrolled flight to controlled flight.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Durango: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1988 at 1920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N68TC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Denver - Durango

MSN:

AC-457

YOM:

1981

Flight number:

VJ2286

Location:

Durango-La Plata County

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4184

Captain / Total hours on type:

3028.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

8500

Copilot / Total hours on type:

305

Aircraft flight hours:

11895

Circumstances:

The aircraft was operating as Continental Express flight 2286. During the approach in IFR conditions, the aircraft went below the minimum descent altitude then struck the terrain at 7,180 feet msl. Examination of the aircraft did not disclose any pre-impact failures or system malfunctions. The evidence indicated that the copilot was flying the airplane during the approach. Evaluation of the radar data showed an excessive rate of descent before the collision with terrain. Postmortem toxicological examination showed that the captain had used cocaine prior to this flight. The safety board concluded that this use had adversely affected his ability to monitor the unstabilized approach flown by the copilot. Records of both crewmembers revealed prior traffic violations and accidents, and, in the case of the captain, a previous aircraft accident. Evaluation of the weather conditions indicated that a 10 to 15 knot tailwind condition existed throughout the approach.

Probable cause:

The first officer's flying and the captain's ineffective monitoring of an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a descent below the published descent profile. Contributing to the accident was the captain's performance resulting from his use of cocaine before the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Twin Falls

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1987 at 2325 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2689E

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Twin Falls - Twin Falls

MSN:

AC-653

YOM:

1986

Location:

Twin Falls

Idaho

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5800

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Aircraft flight hours:

774

Circumstances:

Check pilot was conducting captain proficiency check on another company pilot (pic) under dark night conditions. Subsequent to full stop landing on runway 25, takeoff checklist was recited. PIC commenced takeoff on runway 07. Check pilot simulated V1 engine cut after liftoff. PIC was unable to accelerate to V2, climb, or maintain directional control. Aircraft levelled off, air speed began to decay and aircraft drifted to the right. Check captain failed to take control or terminate engine cut simulation as evolution deteriorated. Aircraft collided with ILS glideslope tower marked by red obstruction lights. Loss of control followed when right wingtip/aileron separated. Aircraft then impacted ground and slid to a stop. Takeoff flap position should be 1/4. Both flaps found near 1/2 flap extended position. Handle found in 1/2 flap detent. Performances charts show aircraft able to reach V2 at 50 feet altitude in 6,500 feet roll, then +575 fpm climb (vyse) at acc wt.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) raising of flaps - not performed
3. (c) checklist - inattentive - pilot in command
4. (f) emergency procedure - simulated - check pilot
5. Proper climb rate - not possible
6. Directional control - not possible
7. (c) supervision - inadequate - check pilot
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
8. (f) object - tower (marked)
9. Wing, wingtip - separation
10. Flight control, aileron - loss, partial
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AT Merlin III in London

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1985 at 0547 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N568UP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

London-Corbin-Magee Field

Schedule:

Louisville - London

MSN:

AT-568

YOM:

1983

Location:

Kentucky

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5688

Captain / Total hours on type:

307.00

Aircraft flight hours:

783

Circumstances:

During arrival, at 0540:31, the captain was cleared for an rnav runway 05 approach and was told to contact London FSS on 121.6 mhz, 'now.' However, he did not make the radio call until approximately 3 minutes later. The aircraft broke out of the weather at about 1,000 feet and 1 mile from the airport (before the radio call). At that time, the runway lights were not on. The captain then advised the FSS to turn on the runway lights and he made a left pattern to circle back and land. During the next approach, the aircraft was high and fast on final approach and touched down long. The 1st officer recommended that the captain make a go-around, but the captain elected to continue the landing. When the captain realized that he would not be able to stop on the remaining runway, he retracted the gear. The aircraft then slid off the end of the runway, went over an embankment, became airborne for about 140 feet, then impacted in a large ravine area. The weight manifest was found to be in error. After allowing for a 500 lb fuel burnoff, the landing weight was estimated to be 14,668 lbs. The max gross weight limit was 14,500 lbs. All three occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (f) weather condition - rain
5. (f) weather condition - dark night
6. (f) radio communications - delayed - pilot in command
7. (f) airport facilities, runway edge lights - not operating
8. Missed approach
----------
Occurrence #2: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
9. Planned approach - initiated
10. (c) proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command
11. (c) airspeed - excessive - pilot in command
12. (f) airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - wet
13. (c) go-around - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
14. Gear retraction - intentional - pilot in command
15. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III near Pueblo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1982 at 1907 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N30093

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Santa Fe - Pueblo

MSN:

AC-449

YOM:

1981

Location:

Pueblo

Colorado

Country:

Region: