# NTSB FTW90IA086: British Aerospace HS125-800, N802X, Atlanta, GA, March 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1990, 19:30 local (Mar 22, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.7490° N, 84.3880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlanta, GA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-84.3880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23054
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90IA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23054/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90IA086

## Probable cause

THE LEAKING AFT LAVATORY WATER HEATER UNIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,lavatories - leak (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - frozen
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CORPORATE JET WAS CRUISING AT FL330 WHEN THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AILERONS WERE LOCKED. HE FOUND THAT THE AFT LAVATORY WATER SYSTEM HAD LEAKED TWO AND A HALF GALLONS OF POTABLE WATER INTO THE KEEL AREA OF THE FUSELAGE AROUND THE AILERON CABLES AND PULLEYS. THE PILOT SURMISED THAT THE WATER WAS FROZEN AROUND THE CABLES AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS -50 C. DURING FINAL APPROACH, AILERON CONTROL WAS REGAINED AND A NORMAL LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED. EXAMINATION OF THE LAVATORY WATER SYSTEM REVEALED A CRACKED COPPER OUTPUT LINE ON THE WATER HEATER UNIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N802X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BRITISH AEROSPACE HS125-800
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NA-0418
- Engines: GARRETT 731-5R-1H 4300 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 subpart F
- Operator: Exxon Corporation
- Departed: IAH, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: EWR, NEWARK, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,110 total, 400 in this make and model, 7,321 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19900321065949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900321065949I), Mar 21, 1990: Braero BAE125800A, Atlanta, GA. Ailerons became inoperable en route. Regained control before landing. Water leaking from lavatory froze on pulleys.

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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