No fatalities

1996-05-03: Swearingen SA227 Metro III (N670PA) — PenAir - Peninsula Airways - Alaska Airlines Commuter — Saint George, United States of America

Saint George, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 3, 1996, a Swearingen SA227 Metro III (registration N670PA) operated by PenAir - Peninsula Airways - Alaska Airlines Commuter was involved in an aviation accident near Saint George, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the captain to maintain proper altitude and wingtip clearance, while aligning the airplane with the runway before landing. His delay in aligning the aircraft with the runway was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781207073Data APIEditorial standards

A passenger aircraft made a hard landing after a low approach with a right turn, causing the right wing to drag on the runway and shearing off the main landing gear and nose gear. Weather included low overcast and fog.

Incident Details

According to passenger accounts, the airplane was flying low and approached the runway at an angle. During the approach, the aircraft executed a right turn, and the right wing contacted the runway surface. The subsequent hard landing resulted in the right main landing gear and nose gear being sheared off.

The captain reported that the airplane had drifted to the left side of the runway due to crosswind conditions. In response, he initiated a right turn to realign the aircraft with the runway.

Weather Conditions

Automated weather observation reported 300-foot overcast ceiling with visibility of 2.5 miles and fog.

Cockpit Voice Recorder

The cockpit voice recorder captured the sound of the stall warning horn activating at the same time the first officer called for application of power.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the captain's failure to maintain proper altitude and wingtip clearance while aligning the airplane with the runway before landing. His delay in aligning the aircraft with the runway was a related factor.