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May 3, 2004 · Dornier DO-328-100 · N441JS

Allentown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 3, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (30 uninjured)
Location
Allentown, PA
Aircraft
Dornier DO-328-100
Tail Number
N441JS
Operator
Psa Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
NYC04IA116

As the landing gear was retracted during takeoff, the flightcrew heard a "loud boom," and received an "unsafe door condition" warning. They confirmed that the main cabin door had opened, declared an emergency, and returned to land uneventfully. The flight attendant was seated adjacent to the door handle during the takeoff; however, she could not recall if she may have inadvertently rested her arm on the door handle while seated. Examination of the door and its locking mechanisms revealed no mechanical deficiencies. Data downloaded from the airplane's flight data recorder (FDR) revealed the "Doors" parameter indicated "Open" approximately 1.7 seconds after the Air/Ground parameter indicated "Air". No additional anomalies were noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The opening of the main cabin door after takeoff, for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2004, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Dornier DO-328-100, N441JS, operated by PSA Airlines, as US Airways Express flight 2447, was not damaged when the main cabin door blew open after takeoff from the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown, Pennsylvania. The two certificated airline transport pilots, a flight attendant, and 27 passengers were not injured. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight which was destined for Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the passenger flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the flightcrew, as the landing gear was retracted during takeoff, they heard a "loud boom," followed by a rush of air. The red warning panel, master warning and triple-chime alerted them to an "unsafe door condition." They confirmed through the Doors System Page, that the main cabin door had opened. The crew then declared an emergency and initiated a left turn to land on runway 6. A landing was performed without incident and the passengers were deplaned normally at the gate. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed no mechanical deficiencies with the door or its locking mechanisms. Additionally, the design of the "unsafe door condition" warning system consisted of an EICAS warning if the door was not closed prior to takeoff, and the contact of three microswitches in the door to cancel the warning. According to the FAA inspector, the flight attendant had no memory of the flight after the takeoff roll. She could not recall whether or not she may have inadvertently rested her arm on the door handle while seated in the jumpseat. The handle of the door was located approximately one foot from the shoulder position of the flight attendant's jumpseat. Additionally, the incident flight was the flight attendant's third flight after completing her initial training with the airline. The airplane's flight data recorder (FDR) was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board's Vehicle Recorder Laboratory for readout. According to the FDR Group Chairman's Factual Report, the downloaded data revealed the "Doors" parameter indicated "Open" approximately 1.7 seconds after the Air/Ground parameter indicated "Air," and the MFD_Sys Page Selected F/O parameter indicated "Doors" approximately 36.6 seconds after the Doors parameter indicated "Open." No additional anomalies were noted.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLehigh Valley International (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length7600 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDornier DO-328-100
Tail NumberN441JS
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorPsa Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · 119B · Turboprop
Seats35

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (30 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured30
Total30
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 39 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 45 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time16:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data