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April 11, 2004 · Canadair CL-600-2C10 · N609QX

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 11, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (60 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Canadair CL-600-2C10
Tail Number
N609QX
Operator
Horizon Air
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
DEN04IA060

The captain reported that while in cruise flight at flight level 330, the crew received a master caution light and a hydraulic system 1 low pressure along with warning lights for the outboard ground spoilers, outboard spoilerons, and the outboard spoilers. The hydraulic fluid quantity and fluid temperature readings were good, but the system pressure was dropping. The crew ran the emergency checklist and continued their flight to Denver, using the backup (1B) system. On final approach and landing, the captain reported that they lost number 1 system pressure and quantity. The crew shut off the 1B system and continued to land. After landing, the crew shut down the number one engine and taxied to the gate. A post-incident examination of the airplane's number 1 hydraulic system showed that the hydraulic pump had come apart internally and seized. Metal fragments were found in the hydraulic filters and lines. Further examination of the hydraulic pump showed that several piston shoes in the pump's hanger and piston subassembly had come apart. The resulting metal fragments subsequently caused damage to the hold-down plate, the hanger, and other internal components of the pump, resulting in its seizure.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total failure of the airplane's number 1 system hydraulic pump.

Full Narrative

On April 11, 2004, at 1435 mountain daylight time, a Canadair (Bombardier) CL-600-2C10, N609QX, operated by Horizon Air as Horizon Flight 4339, experienced a complete failure of the airplane's number 1 system hydraulics, while on approach into the Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado. The flight crew shut off the system and made an uneventful landing. The captain, first officer, 2 flight attendants and 56 passengers on board were not injured. The scheduled domestic passenger flight from Ontario, California, to DEN was being conducted on an instrument flight rules flight plan under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The captain reported that while in cruise flight at flight level 330, the crew received a master caution light and a hydraulic system 1 low pressure along with warning lights for the outboard ground spoilers, outboard spoilerons, and the outboard spoilers. The hydraulic fluid quantity and fluid temperature readings were good, but the system pressure was dropping. The crew ran the emergency checklist and continued their flight to Denver, using the backup (1B) system. On final approach and landing, the captain reported that they lost number 1 system pressure and quantity. The crew shut off the 1B system and continued to land. After landing, the crew shut down the number one engine and taxied to the gate. A post-incident examination of the airplane's number 1 hydraulic system showed that the hydraulic pump had come apart internally and seized. Metal fragments were found in the hydraulic filters and lines. Company maintenance replaced the pump and filters and flushed out the lines several times to remove all debris. The number 1 system hydraulic pump, the filters, metal fragments, cockpit voice recorder, and flight data recorder were retained for further examination. An examination of the data obtained from the flight data recorder showed that the first loss of system 1 occurred approximately 29 minutes after takeoff. The data shows that the second loss of system 1 occurs 1.5 hours after the first loss event. The data then shows the airplane touching down approximately 10 seconds after the second loss event. The hydraulic pump was examined at Parker Hannifin Corporation's Abex Division, Kalamazoo, Michigan, on May 11, 2004. The examination showed that several piston shoes in the pump's hanger and piston subassembly had come apart. The resulting metal fragments subsequently caused damage to the hold-down plate, the hanger, and other internal components of the pump, resulting in its seizure. An Abex Division representative reported that over the past two years, 29 other hydraulic pumps had been returned to the factory with seal leaks and piston shoes damage. The representative said that because of this, several pump improvements were developed including a return to a previously qualified design of the pump's piston shoes. At the time of the incident pump's examination, Abex was in the process of issuing retrofit engineering orders that incorporated the improvements.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time14:25 MDT
Nearest AirportDenver International Airport (5nm S)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCanadair CL-600-2C10
Tail NumberN609QX
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorHorizon Air
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGeneral Electric · CF34-8C1 · Turbojet · 13800 | General Electric · CF34-831 · Turbojet · 13800
Seats74

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (60 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured60
Total60
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 50 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data