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NTSB Report
October 28, 1983 · Short Brothers SD3-30 · N26288
Middletown, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 29 uninjured
Location
Middletown, PA
Aircraft
Short Brothers SD3-30
Tail Number
N26288
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
NYC84LA015
AFTER TAKEOFF ON A FLT TO WASHINGTON, DC, THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 3500 FT WHEN A PERSON (RIDING AS A PASSENGER) MOVED TO THE RIGHT REAR DOOR, OPENED IT & DEPARTED THE ACFT. PRIOR TO THE FLT, AN ASSOCIATE, WHO WAS AN ACFT REFUELER, SAW THE PERSON NEAR THE END OF THE BOARDING LINE. THE REFUELER ASKED THE PERSON WHERE HE WAS GOING; THE PERSON REPLIED DC OR SOMEPLACE IN BETWEEN. WHEN THE PERSON GOT ON BOARD, HE SPOKE TO THE FLT ATTENDANT BY NAME & ASKED FOR A SPECIFIC SEAT NEAR THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. WHEN THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FLT ATTENDANT HEARD AIR NOISE FROM THE OPENED DOOR & ALSO HEARD SOMEONE SCREAM 'MY GOD, HE JUMPED.' AFTER THE PERSON JUMPED, THE DOOR REMAINED PARTIALLY OPEN WITH HIS SHOE WEDGED IN THE DOORWAY.
Full Narrative
AFTER TAKEOFF ON A FLT TO WASHINGTON, DC, THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 3500 FT WHEN A PERSON (RIDING AS A PASSENGER) MOVED TO THE RIGHT REAR DOOR, OPENED IT & DEPARTED THE ACFT. PRIOR TO THE FLT, AN ASSOCIATE, WHO WAS AN ACFT REFUELER, SAW THE PERSON NEAR THE END OF THE BOARDING LINE. THE REFUELER ASKED THE PERSON WHERE HE WAS GOING; THE PERSON REPLIED DC OR SOMEPLACE IN BETWEEN. WHEN THE PERSON GOT ON BOARD, HE SPOKE TO THE FLT ATTENDANT BY NAME & ASKED FOR A SPECIFIC SEAT NEAR THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. WHEN THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FLT ATTENDANT HEARD AIR NOISE FROM THE OPENED DOOR & ALSO HEARD SOMEONE SCREAM 'MY GOD, HE JUMPED.' AFTER THE PERSON JUMPED, THE DOOR REMAINED PARTIALLY OPEN WITH HIS SHOE WEDGED IN THE DOORWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:35 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftShort Brothers SD3-30
Tail NumberN26288
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-45A · Turboprop · 1120
Seats30
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 29 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured29
Total30
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC