1991-03-02: Short Brothers SD3-60 — Simmons Airlines — Chicago, IL

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

Probable cause

AN EXCESSIVE LANDING FLARE BY THE COPILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE INOPERATIVE WING FLAPS AND THE CAPTAIN'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISON.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE OVERROTATED AND STRUCK THE RUNWAY WITH AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE DURING A NO FLAP LANDING. THE FIRST OFFICER WAS FLYING THE APPROACH AND WHEN HE ASKED FOR FLAP EXTENSION BOTH PILOTS STATED THEY DID NOT EXTEND. THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH. THE FINAL APPROACH WAS FLOWN WITH THE CAPTAIN MANIPULATING THE THROTTLES AND THE FIRST OFFICER ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE AIRLANE BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN. THE CAPTAIN ASSUMED COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COMPLETED THE LANDING.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-03-02 Short Brothers SD3-60 accident near Chicago, IL?

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE OVERROTATED AND STRUCK THE RUNWAY WITH AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE DURING A NO FLAP LANDING. THE FIRST OFFICER WAS FLYING THE APPROACH AND WHEN HE ASKED FOR FLAP EXTENSION BOTH PILOTS STATED THEY DID NOT EXTEND. THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH. THE FINAL APPROACH WAS FLOWN WITH THE CAPTAIN…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-03-02 involved a Short Brothers SD3-60, registration N385MQ, operated by Simmons Airlines, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

AN EXCESSIVE LANDING FLARE BY THE COPILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE INOPERATIVE WING FLAPS AND THE CAPTAIN'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISON.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16566. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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