# NTSB DFW08CA222: Fairchild SW3, N2699Y, Carlsbad, NM, August 31, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2008, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, NM
- Coordinates: 32.400493, -104.229629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4005&lon=-104.2296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: ABQ FSDO, FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA222

## Probable cause

Failure of the door to remain secure for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Doors: entrance stairs](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035260): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild SA227-AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035260/cases.md?model=3377509), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035260/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Fairchild SA227-AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=3377509), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While en route to his destination, the 12,250-hour airline transport pilot experienced variations in the airplane's cabin pressure. The pilot removed his noise-cancelling headset and was able to detect an air leak from the area of the entrance door. Moments later, the airplane encountered turbulence and the door departed the airplane causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot declared an emergency and was able to land at the nearest suitable airfield. During his preflight inspection, the pilot, who reported 5,200 hours in make and model, secured the door "normally," but could not recall if he visually confirmed that the door was secured. The fuselage door frame did not display signs of deformation where the entrance door's bayonets seat into the door frame. The door was not recovered and an examination for mechanical failure could not be conducted.

## Factual narrative

While en route to his destination, the 12,250-hour airline transport pilot experienced variations in the airplane's cabin pressure. The pilot removed his noise-cancelling headset and was able to detect an air leak from the area of the entrance door. Moments later, the airplane encountered turbulence and the door departed the airplane causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot declared an emergency and was able to land at the nearest suitable airfield. During his preflight inspection, the pilot, who reported 5,200 hours in make and model, secured the door "normally," but could not recall if he visually confirmed that the door was secured. The fuselage door frame did not display signs of deformation where the entrance door's bayonets seat into the door frame. The door was not recovered and an examination for mechanical failure could not be conducted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2699Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2699Y), registered now, S/N AC-666, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Fairchild SW3
- Registry model: [Fairchild SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-sa227-ac) (registry code 3377509) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC666
- Airframe hours: 30488.5
- Engines: Garrett TPE-331 turbo prop; Garrett TPE-331 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: McNeely Charter Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2008, 64.1 hours before
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: CNM, CARLSBAD, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CNM, Cavern City Air Trml

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 12,250 total, 5,200 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 228 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: CNM, 30 nm away

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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