# NTSB ERA10IA170: Gulfstream American G-1159A, N155MM, Farmingdale, NY, March 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 2010, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NY - Coordinates: 40.728889, -73.41333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7289&lon=-73.4133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Farmingdale FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10IA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10IA170 ## Probable cause Progressive cracking from an undetermined initiation source, which resulted in the failure of the No. 4 cabin window outer pane, and the subsequent foreign object ingestion to the right engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure; cases with it: [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Engine (turbine/turboprop): turbine section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057250): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057250/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: passenger compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035620): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035620/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot-in-command stated that while passing through 35,000 feet mean sea level, the flightcrew heard a sound similar to a compressor stall, followed by a loss of power to the right engine. He immediately declared an emergency with air traffic control and initiated the checklist items for engine shutdown in-flight. Shortly thereafter, the cabin service representative informed him that the No. 4 outer window pane on the right side of the airplane had separated. The flightcrew made a visual approach back to the departure airport and landed without further incident. A bore scope examination of the engine revealed that it had experienced a compressor stall and flamed out as a result of debris from the No. 4 outer window pane being ingested into the engine. Review of the airplane logbooks revealed that all required inspections had been conducted on the window and no anomalies were noted. Further examination of the window revealed fractures in the outer pane, which originated from an area of preexisting progressive cracking, emanating from the exterior surface of the window. The initial cause of the cracking could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 2010, about 1255 eastern standard time, A Gulfstream G1159A, N155MM, registered to N155MM LLC, operated by Northeastern Aviation Corporation, experienced a loss of engine power on the No. 2 engine while climbing through 35,000 feet mean sea level (msl). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 Air Taxi flight to Witham Field (SUA), Stuart, Florida. The airline transport pilot in command (PIC), co-pilot, cabin service representative, and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York, at 1229. The PIC stated that while passing through 35,000 feet mean sea level, the flight crew heard a sound similar to a compressor stall, followed by a loss of power on the right engine. He immediately declared an emergency with air traffic control (ATC) and initiated the checklist items for engine shutdown in-flight. The cabin service representative came to the cockpit and informed him that the No. 4 outer window pane on the right side of the airplane had separated. The flight crew assumed the window pane had been ingested into the right engine. The PIC then contacted ATC and received clearance to return to FRG. The flight crew made a visual approach to FRG, landing at 1318, and taxied to the ramp without further incident. A bore scope examination of the engine was conducted and revealed the engine sustained a compressor stall and flamed out as a result of debris from the No. 4 outer window pane being ingested into the right engine. Foreign matter was attached to the high pressure stage 1 turbine blades. The combustion cans were clean. The high pressure compressor stage 1 blades were damaged. The high pressure nozzle guide vanes were not damaged. The engine was removed and a new engine was installed on the airplane. Review of the aircraft log books revealed that the No. 4 right window had been inspected every 72 months and at each emergency exit window release check, with no anomalies noted. The window was last inspected on June 9, 2009, and had accumulated 15,065 hours and 8,526 cycles since new. No anomalies were found during the inspection. The window was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further analysis. Examination of the window revealed the fractures in the outer pane of the window originated from an area of preexisting progressive cracking emanating from the exterior surface of the window. The cracking in the window did not initiate from local surface damage or scratches. There were no signs of any impact from aerodynamic forces and the window did not exhibit any indication of surface crazing (parallel small cracks perpendicular to the maximum tensile stress). The initial cause of the cracking could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N155MM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN CORP. G-1159A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 325 - Airframe hours: 7513 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYC SPEY MK 511SR 1140 horsepower turbo jet; ROLLS-ROYC SPEY MK 511SR 1140 horsepower turbo jet - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: North Eastern Aviation Corporation - Registered owner: N15mm LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Condition, January 7, 2010, 3,571 hours before - Departed: FRG, Farmingdale, NY - Destination: SUA, Stuart, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FRG, Republic Airport, runway 14, 6,827 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,037 in this make and model, 1,741 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 75; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 18,885 total, 4,245 in this make and model, 13,139 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: FRG ## 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 20100310029389I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100310029389I), Mar 10, 2010: Gulfstream G-1159A, Farmingdale, NY, Minor damage. On March 10, 2010, while climbing through FL350 near atlantic city new jersey, aircraft N155MM experienced an exterior window pane failure of the number 4… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75468. 9.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 791 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory Factual Report 10-082, Number 4 right side cabin window (item 2, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2010-082,%20Number%204%20right%20side%20cabin%20window-Master.PDF - Extract Emergency Procedures (item 3, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Emergency%20Procedures-Redacted.PDF - Extract Aircraft Logbook Inspection (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Aircraft%20Logbook%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Gulfstream Window Inspection (item 5, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Gulfstream%20Window%20Inspection-Master.PDF - Northeastern Window Inspection (item 6, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Northeastern%20Window%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Engine Bore Scope Report (item 7, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Bore%20Scope%20Report-Master.PDF - NTSB Materials LAB Component UPS Wreckage Release (item 8, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Materials%20LAB%20Component%20UPS%20Wreckage%20Release-Redacted.PDF - Photo - 1 View of airplane right side. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 390 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%201%20View%20of%20airplane%20right%20side.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo - 2 View of rubbing on vanes. Photo Northeastern (item 10, .PDF, 918 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%202%20View%20of%20rubbing%20on%20vanes.%20Photo%20Northeastern-Master.PDF - Photo - 3 View of separated number four window. Photo FAA (item 11, .PDF, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%203%20View%20of%20separated%20number%20four%20window.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo - 4 View of separated window. Photo FAA (item 12, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%204%20View%20of%20separated%20window.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo - 5 View of engine inlet transfer. Photo Northeastern (item 13, .PDF, 945 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%205%20View%20of%20engine%20inlet%20transfer.%20Photo%20Northeastern-Master.PDF - Photo - 6 View of window debris on tailcone. Photo Northeastern (item 14, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%206%20View%20of%20window%20debris%20on%20tailcone.%20Photo%20Northeastern-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.