Rockwell 681 N78CH

Summary

On 13 March 1994 at about 06:20 local time, a Rockwell 681 registered N78CH, operated by American Corp Aviation, was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 1994 at 06:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor Int. (PHX)

Coordinates

33.6791, -112.0905

Aircraft

Rockwell 681

Registration

N78CH

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

American Corp Aviation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Show Low → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX94LA163

Nobody was injured.

the failure of the hydraulic and nitrogen system pressure lines, due to an inadequate maintenance inspection program, which failed to detect the corrosion condition of the lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot moved the landing gear selector switch to the down position; however, the landing gear did not extend. The pilot used the emergency gear down system; however, both main landing gear extended only partially and the main wheels failed to rotate to the streamlined position. The main gear collapsed on landing, resulting in damage to the lower fuselage bulkheads and gear attach structure. No hydraulic fluid was found in the system lines, and no leaks detected around the landing gear wells. The nitrogen system pressure was measured at 50 psi; the normal system pressure is 425 to 525 psi. Review of the hydraulic system lines revealed a metal line ruptured with hydraulic fluid saturating the immediate area. The maintenance records indicated the ruptured line was an original equipment item and at least 24 years old. A leak was found in the nitrogen system lines in the wing center section crossover line. Corrosion pitting was observed in several places on both of the lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.