# NTSB ATL92LA133: Cessna 402B, N910WT, Tuscaloosa, AL, June 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1992, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.169803, -87.619705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1698&lon=-87.6197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA133

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE EMERGENCY EXIT, BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON, WHICH RESULTED IN ITS SEPARATION, IN FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - door,emergency exit - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - foreign object damage

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME FOLLOWING REPAINTING. AFTER LEVELING OFF AT CRUISE ALTITUDE, THE PILOT HEARD WIND NOISE FROM THE CABIN & NOTED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR WAS AJAR. SHORTLY AFTERWARD IT DEPARTED THE FUSELAGE & STRUCK THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING WAS COMPLETED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE EXIT HAD BEEN MIS-RIGGED. DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE SEAL FOR THE UPPER CABIN DOOR WAS REPLACED BUT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF WORK ON THE EMERGENCY EXIT. THE RECORDS FOR THE RECENT REPAINTING OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL ANY WORK THAT REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE EMERGENCY EXIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N910WT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910WT-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 402B0392, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0392
- Airframe hours: 9910
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jefferson Airplane, Inc
- Registered owner: Jefferson Airplane, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1991, 76 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 286 in this make and model, 1,541 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 13 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).

- [Accident 19920629022719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920629022719A), Jun 29, 1992: Cessna 402B, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. During cruise emergency exit door opened and departed striking horizontal stabilizer. Had been improperly rigged.

## Other investigations on N910WT (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA02LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA015), Nov 15, 2001: Cessna 402B (N910WT), Pasco, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to keep the aircraft from touching down short of the displaced threshold, and his failure to maintain directional control after the aircraft's left main gear tire deflated as a…

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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