Swearingen SA-227 N385PH
31 December 1990 · Kalispell, Montana, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 31 December 1990 at about 17:30 local time, a Swearingen SA-227 registered N385PH, operated by Horizon Airlines, was involved in an accident near Kalispell, Montana, United States. 15 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Kalispell, Montana, United States
- Nearest airport
- Glacier Int'l (FCA)
- Coordinates
- 48.1893, -114.3810
- Aircraft
- Swearingen SA-227
- Registration
- N385PH
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Horizon Airlines
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Spokane → Kalispell
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA91LA040
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Probable cause
THE FLIGHT CREW'S INABLITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING IN SNOW-DEPTH CONDITIONS THAT HAD BEEN ERRONEOUSLY REPORTED AS BEING WITHIN OPERATING LIMITATIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE CREW OF THE SA-227 COMMUTER AIRLINER LOST DIRCTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING IN SNOW THAT WAS REPORTEDLY BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN INCHES DEEP. THE CREW HAD REQUESTED A SNOW-DEPTH REPORT, WHICH WAS RELAYED TO THEM BY AN AIRPORT SNOWPLOW OPERATOR, THROUGH THE AIRLINE'S OPERATIONS PERSONNEL. THE SNOW DEPTH HAD BEEN REPORTED AS ONE INCH AT THAT TIME. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Swearingen SA-227 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jan 1989 | Swearingen SA-227-AC | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Dec 1991 | Swearingen SA-227-AC | Missoula, Montana, United States | Horizon Air | No injuries | - |
| 29 Mar 1988 | Swearingen SA-227-TT | Miami, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1985 | Swearingen SA-227-AC | Williston, North Dakota, United States | Pioneer Airlines, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jan 1985 | Swearingen SA-227-AC | Covington, Kentucky, United States | Comair | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jan 1985 | Swearingen SA-227 | London, Kentucky, United States | Sat-Air, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Apr 1990 | Peterson KIT FOX MODEL 1 | Highwood, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Mar 1990 | Cessna 172M | Three Forks, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Apr 1990 | Piper PA-28-140 | Forsyth, Montana, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Apr 1990 | Cessna 172 | Columbia Falls, Montana, United States | Eagle Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 6 May 1990 | Cessna C-180E | Helena, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 May 1990 | Piper PA-18-150 | Powderville, Montana, United States | W.l. Ranch Co. | No injuries | - |