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NTSB Report
September 14, 1991 · Atr ATR 42-300 · N243AT
Muskegon, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 25 uninjured
Location
Muskegon, MI
Aircraft
Atr ATR 42-300
Tail Number
N243AT
Operator
Simmons Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CHI91LA300
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN AND COCKPIT. THE CREW MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT COMMANDED AN EVACUATION, ON THE CAPTAIN'S ORDER, THROUGH THE REAR EXITS OF THE AIRCRAFT. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES (A BROKEN ANKLE) DURING THE EVACUATION. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED BEARING IN THE LEFT ENGINE. A SHAFT SHIFTED AND ALLOWED THE DESTRUCTION OF AN OIL SEAL. OIL ENTERED THE CABIN AIR SYSTEM AND WAS EMITTED IN TO THE CABIN AND COCKPIT AS SMOKE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, OF THE NUMBER FOUR BEARING IN THE HIGH PRESSURE SPOOL OF THE ENGINE.
Full Narrative
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN AND COCKPIT. THE CREW MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT COMMANDED AN EVACUATION, ON THE CAPTAIN'S ORDER, THROUGH THE REAR EXITS OF THE AIRCRAFT. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES (A BROKEN ANKLE) DURING THE EVACUATION. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED BEARING IN THE LEFT ENGINE. A SHAFT SHIFTED AND ALLOWED THE DESTRUCTION OF AN OIL SEAL. OIL ENTERED THE CABIN AIR SYSTEM AND WAS EMITTED IN TO THE CABIN AND COCKPIT AS SMOKE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:05 EDT
Nearest AirportMuskegon County (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length6501 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAtr ATR 42-300
Tail NumberN243AT
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSimmons Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PW120 · Turboprop · 2000
Seats49
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 25 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured25
Total26
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind130° @ 8 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC