Final Report: SA-226 took off with known deficiency

Swearingen SA-226T, Teterboro, N.J., May 31, 2005–The NTSB blamed the pilot’s “improper decision to depart with a known deficiency, which

By AIN Staff • AIN Staff

November 6, 2007

Swearingen SA-226T, Teterboro, N.J., May 31, 2005–The NTSB blamed the pilot’s “improper decision to depart with a known deficiency, which resulted in a loss of control during landing at the destination airport. A factor was the fuel control units’ improper flight idle fuel flow rate.”

The airplane made a “sudden turn to the right” on the initial takeoff attempt. The pilot aborted, did an engine runup and took off again. The crew reduced power on landing at the destination airport, while the left engine accelerated to 60-percent power. The pilot reported “one engine surging and another engine that seems like I lost control or speed.” Regaining control, he landed and the engine surged to 65 percent power with the throttle lever in idle. The airplane immediately turned to the right, the right wing “dropped” 30 degrees and hit the ground. The pilot was seriously injured.

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