Narrative:A Swearingen SA227AC Metro III, N227ML, ran off the side of runway 23 during landing roll at the Somerset-Lake Cumberland Regional Airport, KY (SME). The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated by Locair, as flight 151, an on-demand air taxi flight, with an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) at 13:20, the same day.
According to the pilot, during landing roll, the nose wheel locked, causing the airplane to veer right. He countered with full left rudder, but was unable to bring the airplane under control. The airplane departed the runway on the north side, crossed the taxiway, and went down a small embankment. The airplane came to rest against the airports boundary fence.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the airplane substantially damaged with the right wing folded back just outboard of the right wing flap.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Damaged wiring in the nosewheel steering harness, which resulted in a loss of control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilots' improper touchdown point."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB  |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 3 years | Accident number: | ERA10LA103 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Runway mishap
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos

accident date:
02-01-2010type: Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III
registration: N227ML

accident date:
02-01-2010type: Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III
registration: N227ML

accident date:
02-01-2010type: Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III
registration: N227ML
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 Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, MD to Somerset-Lake Cumberland Regional Airport, KY as the crow flies is 729 km (456 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.