Runway excursion involving Swearingen SA227-AC at Rotterdam Airport

No fatalities • Rotterdam, Netherlands • Takeoff (climb)

A charter flight departing from Rotterdam Airport veered off the runway during its takeoff roll, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft and one passenger being hospitalized.

What happened

On 19 September 2005, a Swearingen SA227-AC, registered PH-DYM, was preparing for a scheduled charter flight from Rotterdam Airport to Birmingham Airport. The aircraft was carrying seventeen passengers and two crew members. During the takeoff preparation on runway 24, the crew transitioned the engine speed levers from taxi to flight position. During this process, the first officer noted a loss of nose wheel steering functionality. The captain identified that the necessary switch on the throttles, required to activate the steering system when engines are in high RPM, had not been engaged.

After receiving clearance from air traffic control, the first officer initiated the takeoff roll. As the aircraft reached approximately 50 knots, the nose wheel steering switch automatically released, transitioning steering control to the aerodynamic forces on the rudder. At this moment, the aircraft began drifting toward the left side of the runway. Despite attempts by the crew to use braking and rudder inputs to correct the path, the aircraft exited the runway at a speed between 50 and 60 knots.

Upon exiting the paved surface, the left landing gear encountered soft, low-lying ground. The gear sank into the earth, causing a sudden deceleration that resulted in the left gear breaking off. This impact caused the left wingtip to strike the ground, triggering a ground loop that subsequently caused the nose and right landing gear to fail. All 19 occupants were able to evacuate the aircraft via the front left door without incident. One passenger was transported to a hospital for observation but was released later that day. The aircraft sustained severe damage.

Findings

  • The aircraft's departure from the runway centerline occurred immediately after the nose wheel steering system disengaged.
  • Failure to engage the throttle-mounted switch prevented the nose wheel steering from remaining active during the transition from low to high engine RPM.
  • The soft terrain outside the runway perimeter contributed to the structural failure of the landing gear.

Probable cause

The crew failed to activate the nose wheel steering switch on the throttles during the transition to high engine RPM, leading to a loss of directional control once the steering system disengaged.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-09-19 Swearingen SA227 Metro III accident near Rotterdam, Netherlands?

A charter flight departing from Rotterdam Airport veered off the runway during its takeoff roll, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft and one passenger being hospitalized.

Were there any fatalities in the 2005-09-19 Swearingen SA227 Metro III accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-09-19 involved a Swearingen SA227 Metro III, registration PH-DYM, operated by Dynamic Airlines, at Rotterdam, Netherlands.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew failed to activate the nose wheel steering switch on the throttles during the transition to high engine RPM, leading to a loss of directional control once the steering system disengaged.

Loading the flight search…