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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 24, 1993 · Canadair CL600-2B19 · N915CA

Danville, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
July 24, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (21 uninjured)
Location
Danville, IL
Aircraft
Canadair CL600-2B19
Tail Number
N915CA
Operator
Comair
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI93IA280

THE COMMUTER AIRLINE TURBOJET WAS CLIMBING TO ITS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE WHEN THE CAPTAIN TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID A THUNDERSTORM. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTENING SEVERAL TIMES AND THE RIGHT ENGINE CEASED OPERATING. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED THROUGH 15,000 FEET. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ITS DESTINATION AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD NUMEROUS BURN SPOTS ON ITS FUSELAGE, WING, RIGHT ENGINE, ELEVATOR, AND RIGHT ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

a lightning strike and associated engine flameout.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 1993, at 0840 central daylight time (CDT), a Canadair CL 600-2B19, N915CA, operated by Comair Airlines of Cincinnati, Ohio, as flight number 3707, and piloted by airline transport rated pilots, experienced a right engine failure after being struck by lightning during a climb to its assigned altitude. The 14 CFR Part 135 passenger revenue flight was operating on an IFR flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane sustained minor damage. The two pilots, flight attendant, and eighteen passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed from Chicago, Illinois, at 0730 CDT. The captain's NTSB Form 6120.1/2's written statement reveals the airplane was "... flying through intermittent, moderate precipitation, and moderate turbulence... ." The captain stated, "We just started a deviation to the east, left of course, to avoid a level one cell (thunderstorm)... ." After being struck by lightning several times the pilot declared an emergency at 27,000 feet when the right engine ceased operating. Shortly after descending through 15,000 feet the engine was restarted during a second attempt. The pilot requested, and was granted, a clearance to the flight's original destination. The company's Chief Inspector of Maintenance stated N915CA had many burn marks on its fuselage, wing, right engine, and elevator. The company's chief pilot stated it was his belief the lightening strike caused an interrupted airflow into the engine resulting in the flameout. Investigation into the chief pilot's statement revealed a NASA publication entitled: LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF AIRCRAFT, published during October 1977. According to this report, the turbojet engine's flameout is a "...result from disruption of the inlet air by shock wave associated with the lightning arc channel sweeping aft along a fuselage. This channel may indeed pass close in front of an engine intake, and if a restrike occurs, the accompanying shock wave is considered sufficient to disrupt engine operation."

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time08:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftCanadair CL600-2B19
Tail NumberN915CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorComair
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF34-3A1 · Turbofan · 9220
Seats53

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (21 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured21
Total21
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data