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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

March 23, 1992 · Fokker 28-4000 · N485US

Flushing, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 1992
Injury Outcomes
48 injuries (27 fatalities, 9 serious injuries, 12 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Location
Flushing, NY
Aircraft
Fokker 28-4000
Tail Number
N485US
Operator
Usair
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA92MA025

THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN DEICED 2 TIMES BEFORE LEAVING THE GATE. HOWEVER, 35 MINUTES HAD ELAPSED BETWEEN THE 2ND DEICING & TAKEOFF DURING WHICH TIME ICE ACCUMULATED ON THE WING. THIS TIME PERIOD EXCEEDED THE TYPE I DEICING FLUID SAFE HOLDOVER TIME (11 MIN). THE 1ST OFFICER CALLED VR 11 KTS EARLY, AND THE CAPT ROTATED ABOUT 5 KTS EARLY. AFTER LIFTOFF THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CAME TO REST PARTIALLY INVERTED AND SUBMERGED IN THE BAY. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE OPERATOR DID NOT REQUIRE A SPECIFIC EXTERIOR INSPECTION FOR ICE CONTAMINATION OF F-28 AIRPLANES DURING PERIODS OF FREEZING PRECIPITATION. ACCIDENT HISTORY SHOWS THAT NONSLATTED, TURBOJET, TRANSPORT-CATEGORY AIRPLANES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF TAKEOFF ACCIDENTS WHERE UNDETECTED UPPER WING ICE CONTAMINATION HAS BEEN CITED AS THE PROBABLE CAUSE OR SOLE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE FLIGHTCREWS WITH PROCEDURES, REQUIREMENTS, AND CRITERIA COMPATIBLE WITH DEPARTURE DELAYS IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO AIRFRAME ICING AND THE DECISION BY THE FLIGHTCREW TO TAKE OFF WITHOUT POSITIVE ASSURANCE THAT THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS WERE FREE OF ICE ACCUMULATION AFTER 35 MINUTES OF EXPOSURE TO PRECIPITATION FOLLOWING DEICING. THE ICE CONTAMINATION ON THE WINGS RESULTED IN AN AERODYNAMIC STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER LIFTOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INAPPROPRIATE PROCEDURES USED BY, AND INADEQUATE COORDINATION BETWEEN, THE FLIGHTCREW THAT LED TO A TAKEOFF ROTATION AT A LOWER THAN PRESCRIBED AIRSPEED. (NTSB REPORT AAR-93/020)

Full Narrative

PLEASE SEE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD BLUE COVER REPORT AAR-93/02 FOR DETAILS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:35 EST
Nearest AirportLaguardia (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftFokker 28-4000
Tail NumberN485US
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorUsair
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · SPEY M555-15P · Turbofan · 9900
Seats85

People & Injuries

Injury Summary48 injuries (27 fatalities, 9 serious injuries, 12 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Fatal27
Serious9
Minor12
Uninjured3
Total51
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 13 kt
Visibility0.8 sm
Ceiling700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45

Appendix: Source Data