On April 23, 1994, a Fairchild SA-227 (registration N27220) operated by Skywest Airlines, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Monica, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAA INADEQUATE SEPARATION STANDARDS BETWEEN LARGE AND HEAVY CATEGORY AIRCRAFT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A commuter airplane encountered wake turbulence from a preceding Boeing 747-400 while descending into the downwind leg at Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft rolled inverted but was recovered; minor damage occurred. Separation met criteria.
Incident Overview
While descending into the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at Los Angeles International Airport, a commuter airplane encountered wake turbulence from a preceding Boeing 747-400. The encounter caused the commuter airplane to roll inverted. The pilot successfully recovered the aircraft, and the flight continued to land without further incident. The commuter airplane sustained minor damage.
Radar Data and Separation
Radar data revealed that the commuter airplane was approximately 5 miles from the Boeing 747-400 leading up to and at the time of the turbulence encounter. This separation distance met current wake turbulence separation criteria.
Aftermath
The flight proceeded to a normal landing after the upset. No further issues were reported. The aircraft damage was limited to minor structural or cosmetic issues, though specific details were not provided in the initial report.
What happened in the 23 Apr 1994 Fairchild SA-227 accident near Santa Monica, CA?
A commuter airplane encountered wake turbulence from a preceding Boeing 747-400 while descending into the downwind leg at Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft rolled inverted but was recovered; minor damage occurred. Separation met criteria.
Were there any fatalities in the 23 Apr 1994 Fairchild SA-227 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Apr 1994 involved a Fairchild SA-227, registration N27220, operated by Skywest Airlines, Inc., at Santa Monica, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
FAA INADEQUATE SEPARATION STANDARDS BETWEEN LARGE AND HEAVY CATEGORY AIRCRAFT.
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