Narrative:
Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination Grand Canyon and the aircraft was cleared for a localizer instrument approach. The weather was below landing minimums and the pilot executed a missed approach. He then diverted to the company designated alternate airport at Bullhead City. The aircraft was 6.5 miles out on final approach for Bullhead City runway 34 when both engines lost power. A forced landing was carried out in a dry wash. The gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded 100 feet before coming to rest near Highway 95.
The aircraft had probably encountered weather conditions causing light to moderate rime icing. Ice from the unheated propeller spinner dome, which is difficult to detect or discern visually, was possibly shed into the engine inlets after descent into warmer air during the approach phase. The ice ingestion disturbs the air flow which then causes the flameout when the ignition is not on.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the pilot(s) to use 'override' ignition as prescribed by checklist procedures during an encounter with icing conditions, which subsequently led to ice ingestion and dual engine flame-outs. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) conditions, the accumulation of airframe/engine ice, and lack of suitable terrain in the emergency landing area. "
All engine powerloss
Forced landing outside airport
» NTSB Identification: LAX97FA082
» Ice Ingestion Causes Both Engines to Flame Out During Air-taxi Turboprops Final Approach
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 5 January 1997 |
| Time: | 12:43 |
| Type: |  Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III |
| Operator: | Skylink Charter |
| Registration: | N165SW |
| MSN: | AC-514 |
| First flight: | 1982 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 25111 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TPE331-11U-612 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 19 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 21 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Bullhead City, AZ ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA (LGB/KLGB), United States of America |
| Grand Canyon-National Park Airport, AZ (GCN/KGCN), United States of America |
Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination Grand Canyon and the aircraft was cleared for a localizer instrument approach. The weather was below landing minimums and the pilot executed a missed approach. He then diverted to the company designated alternate airport at Bullhead City. The aircraft was 6.5 miles out on final approach for Bullhead City runway 34 when both engines lost power. A forced landing was carried out in a dry wash. The gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded 100 feet before coming to rest near Highway 95.
The aircraft had probably encountered weather conditions causing light to moderate rime icing. Ice from the unheated propeller spinner dome, which is difficult to detect or discern visually, was possibly shed into the engine inlets after descent into warmer air during the approach phase. The ice ingestion disturbs the air flow which then causes the flameout when the ignition is not on.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the pilot(s) to use 'override' ignition as prescribed by checklist procedures during an encounter with icing conditions, which subsequently led to ice ingestion and dual engine flame-outs. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) conditions, the accumulation of airframe/engine ice, and lack of suitable terrain in the emergency landing area. "
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
IcingAll engine powerloss
Forced landing outside airport
Sources:
» Air Safety Week 3 February 1997» NTSB Identification: LAX97FA082
» Ice Ingestion Causes Both Engines to Flame Out During Air-taxi Turboprops Final Approach
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 2 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA to Grand Canyon-National Park Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 593 km (371 miles).
Distance from Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA to Grand Canyon-National Park Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 593 km (371 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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