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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 22, 1988 · De Havilland DH-7-58C · N170RA

Albany, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 22, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 12 uninjured
Location
Albany, NY
Aircraft
De Havilland DH-7-58C
Tail Number
N170RA
Operator
Pan Am Express
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88FA238

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED DISINTEGRATION OF THE NO.2 ENGINE. SCORCHED ENGINE FRAGMENTS RIPPED THROUGH THE FUSELAGE INJURING TWO PASSENGERS, ONE SERIOUSLY. THE UNCONTAINED FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF WEAR OR SPALLING OF THE 1ST STAGE REDUCTION GEAR AND THE SUN GEARS. PROGRESSIVE CONTAMINATION ALLOWED THE FAILURE TO PROGRESS TO THE ULTIMATE UNCONTAINED FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ULTIMATE FAILURE WAS AN INOPERATIVE MAGNETIC CHIP DETECTOR PLUG, WHICH ALLOWED THE WEAR TO PROGRESS UNDETECTED.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED DISINTEGRATION OF THE NO.2 ENGINE. SCORCHED ENGINE FRAGMENTS RIPPED THROUGH THE FUSELAGE INJURING TWO PASSENGERS, ONE SERIOUSLY. THE UNCONTAINED FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF WEAR OR SPALLING OF THE 1ST STAGE REDUCTION GEAR AND THE SUN GEARS. PROGRESSIVE CONTAMINATION ALLOWED THE FAILURE TO PROGRESS TO THE ULTIMATE UNCONTAINED FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ULTIMATE FAILURE WAS AN INOPERATIVE MAGNETIC CHIP DETECTOR PLUG, WHICH ALLOWED THE WEAR TO PROGRESS UNDETECTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:55 EDT
Nearest AirportAlbany County (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DH-7-58C
Tail NumberN170RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPan Am Express
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-50 · Turboprop · 1120
Seats55

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 12 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured12
Total15
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 10 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data