Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 13 November 2012
Aircraft Type: Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II
Owner/operator: Zorex Air Transport
Registration Number: EC-JYC
Location: Murcia-San Javier Airport (MJV) – ÿ Spain
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Nose wheel steering systemNose wheel steering system
Investigating Agency: CIAIACCIAIAC
Category: Accident
A Metro II turboprop plane experienced a significant incident during its flight from Pamplona Airport to Murcia Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop near a taxiway intersection. The crew exited the plane safely, and the plane sustained considerable damage. Investigation revealed that the fault stemmed from a failure in the nose wheel steering system, possibly exacerbated by moisture, inadequate wiring protection, and a combination of factors, including the captain’s asymmetric reverse thrust during takeoff.A Metro II turboprop plane experienced a significant incident during its flight from Pamplona Airport to Murcia Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop near a taxiway intersection. The crew exited the plane safely, and the plane sustained considerable damage. Investigation revealed that the fault stemmed from a failure in the nose wheel steering system, possibly exacerbated by moisture, inadequate wiring protection, and a combination of factors, including the captain’s asymmetric reverse thrust during takeoff.

Description

The Metro II turboprop plane had conducted a flight to transport a patient from Pamplona Airport to Murcia Airport (MJV), Spain. At 12:05, approximately one hour after landing in Murcia, it was preparing to take off on a ferry flight to Huesca Airport (HSK). The first officer was pilot flying (PF). During the takeoff run on runway 05R, the aircraft veered left and departed the runway. During its run, it crossed the first access taxiway on the left and came to a stop very close to the intersection of said taxiway and the runway. The crewmembers were uninjured and exited the airplane under their own power. The airplane suffered significant damage. CONCLUSION: The cause of the fault in the nose wheel steering system could not be determined, as it was impossible to reproduce it in the tests conducted after the accident. All of the system’s components were found to be in good condition. It is possible, however, that the lack of protection for the wires, beyond that provided by the insulation, along with the adverse moisture conditions and a possible contaminated runway, could have caused an instantaneous failure of some component in the electrical system resulting in an improper contact that was corrected during the runway departure when the wheel struck the edge of the access taxiway, returning the wheel to return to its normal position. The use of asymmetric reverse thrust by the captain was critical to controlling the extent and distance of the departure.

Primary Cause

Faulty nose wheel steering system, potentially exacerbated by moisture, inadequate wiring protection, and adverse runway conditions.Faulty nose wheel steering system, potentially exacerbated by moisture, inadequate wiring protection, and adverse runway conditions.

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