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NTSB Report
January 21, 1985 · Lockheed 188C · N5532
Reno, NV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
71 injuries (70 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Reno, NV
Aircraft
Lockheed 188C
Tail Number
N5532
Operator
Galaxy Airlines
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA85AA010
SHORTLY AFTER GALAXY AIRLINES FLT 203 LIFTED OFF FROM RWY 16R, THE COPLT TRANSMITTED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO 'MAKE A LEFT DOWNWIND, WE GOTTA GET BACK ON THE GROUND.' HE THEN RPRTD THAT THERE WAS A HVY VIBRATION IN THE ACFT. FLT 203 WAS CLEARED AS REQUESTED, BUT A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ACFT DSCNDD & CRASHED ABOUT 1-1/2 MI FROM THE RWY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE GROUND HANDLERS HAD FAILED TO PROPERLY CLOSE AN AIR START ACCESS DOOR, WHILE THEY WERE SERVICING THE ACFT, DUE TO A DISRUPTION. INFO FROM THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER (CVR) INDICATED THAT AFTER THE DOOR BEGAN VIBRATING, POWER WAS REDUCED IN ALL 4 ENGS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BEGAN BUFFETING & LOST EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE BEFORE POWER WAS RESTORED. WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED, A STORE & 7 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES WERE ALSO DAMAGED.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER GALAXY AIRLINES FLT 203 LIFTED OFF FROM RWY 16R, THE COPLT TRANSMITTED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO 'MAKE A LEFT DOWNWIND, WE GOTTA GET BACK ON THE GROUND.' HE THEN RPRTD THAT THERE WAS A HVY VIBRATION IN THE ACFT. FLT 203 WAS CLEARED AS REQUESTED, BUT A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ACFT DSCNDD & CRASHED ABOUT 1-1/2 MI FROM THE RWY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE GROUND HANDLERS HAD FAILED TO PROPERLY CLOSE AN AIR START ACCESS DOOR, WHILE THEY WERE SERVICING THE ACFT, DUE TO A DISRUPTION. INFO FROM THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER (CVR) INDICATED THAT AFTER THE DOOR BEGAN VIBRATING, POWER WAS REDUCED IN ALL 4 ENGS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BEGAN BUFFETING & LOST EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE BEFORE POWER WAS RESTORED. WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED, A STORE & 7 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES WERE ALSO DAMAGED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:04 PST
Nearest AirportReno Cannon Intl (0nm N)
Runway16R
Runway Length9000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftLockheed 188C
Tail NumberN5532
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGalaxy Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAllison · 501-D13 · Turboprop
Seats102
People & Injuries
Injury Summary71 injuries (70 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal70
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total71
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:25
Weather SourceWFAC