Accident · 2017-05-05
What the record says
- Event date
- 2017-05-05
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- SHORT BROS. & HARLAND SD3 30 (N334AC)
- Operating rule
- Part 135
- Operator
- AIR CARGO CARRIERS, LLC. Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Air Cargo Carriers
Probable cause
the flight crew's improper decision to conduct a circling approach contrary to the operator's standard operating procedures (SOP) and the captain's excessive descent rate and maneuvering during the approach, which led to inadvertent, uncontrolled contact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the operator's lack of a formal safety and oversight program to assess hazards and compliance with SOPs and to monitor pilots with previous performance issues.
Source: NTSB case DCA17FA109Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Airline transport pilot | Airplane | 47 | Class 1 | 4,368.5 total · 578.7 in this make/model |
| Co-pilot pilot flying | Commercial | — | — | Class 1 | 652.4 total · 333.6 in this make/model |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.