1989-01-23: Fairchild SA-227-AC — Horizon Air — Seattle, WA

Casualties unknown • Seattle, WA, US

Probable cause

INOPERATIVE NOSEWHEEL STEERING DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN THE AIRCRAFT MANUALS.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WHILE ON TAKEOFF ROLL, THE CPT TURNED THE ELECTRIC NOSE WHEEL STEERING OFF. THE FIRST OFFICER, FLYING THE ACFT, ANNOUNCED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT YAW. THE CPT TOOK THE CONTROLS BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE ACFT TO A HALT BEFORE DEPARTING THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. POST MISHAP TESTS REVEALED A MALFUNCTION OF THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING DUE TO IMPROPER REPLACEMENT OF VALVES IN THE HYDRAULIC STEERING ACTUATOR UNIT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-01-23 Fairchild SA-227-AC accident near Seattle, WA?

WHILE ON TAKEOFF ROLL, THE CPT TURNED THE ELECTRIC NOSE WHEEL STEERING OFF. THE FIRST OFFICER, FLYING THE ACFT, ANNOUNCED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT YAW. THE CPT TOOK THE CONTROLS BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE ACFT TO A HALT BEFORE DEPARTING THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. POST MISHAP TESTS REVEALED A MALFUNCTION OF THE NOSE WHEEL…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-01-23 involved a Fairchild SA-227-AC, registration N386PH, operated by Horizon Air, at Seattle, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INOPERATIVE NOSEWHEEL STEERING DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN THE AIRCRAFT MANUALS.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27664. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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