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NTSB Report
December 14, 1987 · British Aerospace BAE-3101 · N331PX
Joplin, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 14, 1987
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (2 serious injuries, 5 minor injuries)
Location
Joplin, MO
Aircraft
British Aerospace BAE-3101
Tail Number
N331PX
Operator
Express Airlines
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC88FA027
THE CAPT STATED THAT HE HAD PLANNED THE APPROACH AT A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE DUE TO A REPORTED LOW LEVEL WINDSHEAR. AT 400 FEET AGL THE ACFT ENTERED A LIGHT DOWNDRAFT BUT THE CREW CORRECTED THE DESCENT PROFILE WITH POWER. AT 200 FEET AGL THE ACFT SUDDENLY, ACCORDING TO THE CAPT, PITCHED DOWN BEFORE IMPACTING THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT PITCHED DOWN ON SHORT FINAL, LEVELED OFF, THEN SLAMMED ONTO THE RUNWAY ON ALL WHEELS. IT THEN BOUNCED, PITCHED DOWN AGAIN AND IMPACTED THE RUNWAY NOSE-FIRST. A SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION, OPERATIONAL TEST, AND TEARDOWN OF THE AIRPLANE'S STALL PROTECTION SYSTEM FOUND IT TO BE FUNCTIONING SATISFACTORILY. THE TWO POWERPLANTS ALSO TESTED WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS.
Full Narrative
THE CAPT STATED THAT HE HAD PLANNED THE APPROACH AT A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE DUE TO A REPORTED LOW LEVEL WINDSHEAR. AT 400 FEET AGL THE ACFT ENTERED A LIGHT DOWNDRAFT BUT THE CREW CORRECTED THE DESCENT PROFILE WITH POWER. AT 200 FEET AGL THE ACFT SUDDENLY, ACCORDING TO THE CAPT, PITCHED DOWN BEFORE IMPACTING THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT PITCHED DOWN ON SHORT FINAL, LEVELED OFF, THEN SLAMMED ONTO THE RUNWAY ON ALL WHEELS. IT THEN BOUNCED, PITCHED DOWN AGAIN AND IMPACTED THE RUNWAY NOSE-FIRST. A SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION, OPERATIONAL TEST, AND TEARDOWN OF THE AIRPLANE'S STALL PROTECTION SYSTEM FOUND IT TO BE FUNCTIONING SATISFACTORILY. THE TWO POWERPLANTS ALSO TESTED WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:58 CST
Nearest AirportJoplin Municipal (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length6503 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBritish Aerospace BAE-3101
Tail NumberN331PX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorExpress Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331-10 · Turboprop · 900
Seats19
People & Injuries
Injury Summary7 injuries (2 serious injuries, 5 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor5
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:48
Weather SourceWFAC