# NTSB DCA88MA054: Boeing 737-297, N73711, Maui, HI, April 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1988, 13:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place: Maui, HI
- Location: 20.7702° N, 156.2682° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maui, HI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.7702&lon=-156.2682&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 7 serious, 57 minor, 30 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA88MA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15898/pdf
- Board report AAR8903 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8903.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,attachment - fatigue (cause)
  - fuselage,attachment - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate airframe, manufacturer (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-89/03. To obtain a copy of this report, or to view the executive summary online, please see the Web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm

FLT 243 EXPERIENCED AN EXPLOSIVE DECOMPRESSION AND STRUCTURAL FAILURE AT FL240 WHILE ENROUTE FROM HILO, HI, TO HONOLULU, HI. APRX 18 FT OF CABIN SKIN AND STRUCTURE AFT OF THE CABIN ENTRANCE DOOR AND ABOVE THE PASSENGER FLOORLINE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. ONE FLT ATTENDANT WHO WAS STANDING IN THE AISLE WAS SWEPT OVERBOARD. THE FLT DIVERTED TO MAUI AND A LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED DISBONDING AND FATIGUE DAMAGE WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE LAP JOINT AT S-10L AND THE SEPARATION OF THE FUSELAGE UPPER SKIN BETWEEN STATIONS 360 AND 540. (SEE NTSB/AAR-89/03)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73711](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73711-1988-08-26), registration cancelled 1988-08-26, S/N 20209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-297
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-297](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-297) (registry code 1384480) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20209
- Airframe hours: 35496
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Aloha Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 25, 1988
- Departed: ITO, HILO, HI
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 6,700 in this make and model, 107 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880428039289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880428039289A), Apr 28, 1988: Boeing 737200, Kahului, HI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Explosive decompression at FL 240 when cabin fuselage tore open. Safe landing. Cabin skin failed due fatigue cracks

## Other investigations on N73711 (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 OAK79DA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DA017), Feb 21, 1979: Boeing 737 (N73711), Honolulu, HI, no damage

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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