| Crash location | 36.038333°N, 95.984444°W |
| Nearest city | Tulsa, OK
36.153982°N, 95.992775°W 8.0 miles away |
| Tail number | YV-2045 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 02 Jan 2007 |
| Aircraft type | Fairchild Merlin SA-226-T |
| Additional details: | None |
On January 2, 2007, at 1140 central standard time, a twin-engine Fairchild Merlin SA-226-T airplane, Venezuelan registration YV-2045, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at the Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport (KRVS) near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual in Caracas, Venezuela. The airline transport rated pilot, the commercial pilot functioning as first officer, and the 7 passengers were not inured. Visual meteorological conditions for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The flight originated at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE), near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 0740, with KRVS as its intended destination.
Tower personnel reported that the twin-engine airplane veered to the left and departed the runway during the landing roll on Runway 19R. Runway 19R was reported to be a 5,102-feet long, by 100-feet wide asphalt runway. The airplane came to an abrupt stop in the grassy area between Runway 13 and Taxiway Juliet, after the nose landing gear assembly dug into the soft ground and collapsed.
The pilot reported that following a "normal" full-flap landing, he was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane due to the failure of the nose wheel steering mechanism. The airplane entered an uncommanded left drift which he could not compensate for. The airplane departed the left side of the runway.
Examination of the pressurized twin-turboprop airplane revealed structural damage to the lower portion of the nose section, as well as damage to the support structure for the nose landing gear assembly. All propeller blades were damaged upon ground contact. None of the 4 main tires were blown and the wheel brakes appeared to be functioning and in good condition. There was no fire. The 7 passengers and 2 crewmembers were able to egress the airplane normally and were not injured.
The reason for the uncommanded nose wheel steering deflection could not be determined. A completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not received from either the operator or the pilot.
The weather was reported as calm winds, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 45 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.41 inches of Mercury.
The loss of control as result of the malfunction of the nose wheel steering mechanism during landing for undetermined reasons.