SA-227 AC Metro III
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Total 3620; Flight Crew Type 477
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
Aircraft had just landed; having experienced dual hydraulic failure on the initial climb resulting in no flap extension/retraction; no gear retraction; and no hydraulic steering. I conveyed the reason for my air return as such to ATC but did not declare an emergency as my landing gear was confirmed down. After landing and exiting at the high speed exit; my initial concern was to taxi the aircraft immediately to my company's maintenance facility. I requested a 'progressive taxi' and received a taxi clearance to taxi straight ahead; crossing runway 29. However; ATC changed the instruction to now cross runway 29 and hold short of Golf. The turn from the current taxiway Delta to Golf was over a 90 degree turn. Without hydraulic steering; I was required to use differential throttle control to turn and as a result of this and the deteriorating conditions; I lost sight of the hold short line and stopped immediately. I asked ATC to confirm my position and after verifying with ATC of new taxi instructions to proceed; I was able to taxi back on 17L and 29 to clear the runway on the way to the ramp. Knowing now my aircraft's inability to maneuver and stop in a controlled fashion; I should have confirmed my request for assistance upon initial contact with Ground as well as not accepted a hold short clearance if I was unsure if I could maintain visual contact with the hold short line. Declaring an emergency would have also been an option in the future. This was my first time dealing with a complete hydraulic failure and that in combination with a very busy terminal area; poor visibility; and precipitation hindering my forward visibility resulted in a brief loss of situational awareness.
SA227 Captain experiences a complete hydraulic system failure after takeoff with the gear still down and the flaps in the takeoff position. An emergency is not declared and after landing the lack of hydraulic steering and poor visibility results in a taxiway incursion.