# NTSB ATL84IA255: Swearingen SA226TC, N501SS, Memphis, TN, August 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1984, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.030982, -90.010223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0310&lon=-90.0102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 13 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84IA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84IA255

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - fatigue (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - separation

## Analysis

DURING LEVEL OFF AT 16,000 FT WITH A SEA LEVEL CABIN PRESSURE (6 PSI DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE), THE CREW HEARD A 'POP', THEN THE COPLT'S WINDOW BLEW OUT. DEBRIS, INCLUDING THE GLARESHIELD, EXITED THE COCKPIT & INJURED THE COPILOT. THE WINDOW WAS A SINGLE THICKNESS ACRYLIC, MANUFACTURED BY PPG (PN 26-2L 383-006). THE WINDOW WAS IN SERVICE 12,158 HRS SINCE NEW IN 1979. FATIGUE ORIGINATED NEAR THE LOWER REAR CORNER UNDER THE EDGE OF THE WINDOW RETAINER STRIP. CAUSE OF THE FATIGUE WAS NOT DETERMINED. WHITE PAINT & SEALANT MATERIAL WERE AT THE FATIGUE ORIGIN. A SCRIBE LINE WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ORIGIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N501SS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA226TC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-302
- Airframe hours: 12158
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE 331 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Scheduled Skyways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Scheduled Skyways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 10, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: FSM, FT. SMITH, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 50 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19840813075499I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840813075499I), Aug 13, 1984: Swrngn SA226TC, Memphis, TN, Minor damage. Explosive decompression when copilots right window blew out. Safe landing. Window cracks were hidden by retainer.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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