Swearingen SA-227-AT accident near Covington, Kentucky, January 8, 2002
On January 8, 2002 at about 10:26 am local time, a Swearingen SA-227-AT, registered N556UP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Covington, Kentucky (Northern Kentucky Intl airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the tug driver's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in his failure to see the airplane in time to prevent the collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 8, 2002 · about 10:26 am local time
- Place
- Covington, Kentucky · Northern Kentucky Intl · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Swearingen SA-227-AT · all SA-227-ATs on the register
- Registration
- N556UP · no longer on the register · serial AT-556
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was taxiing an airplane across an open lighted ramp area at night. He observed a tug closing from his left side and when the tug did not give way to the airplane, he initiated braking. The tug struck the airplane on the nose, inflicting substantial damage. The tug driver reported that he did not observe the airplane in time to prevent the collision. No obstructions to visibility were present for the pilot or tug driver. Airport rules required vehicles to yield the right-of-way to airplanes.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,591 hours in all; 512 in this make and model; 278 in the last 90 days; 77 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 24, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,650 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 7, 2001; 123 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 14,500 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Garrett TPE-331-11U (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Garrett TPE-331-11U (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CVG Covington KY
- Destination: BHM Birmingham AL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 18°F (-8°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 am from CVG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.