# NTSB LAX88LA303: Fairchild SA-227-AC, N2683B, Sacramento, CA, August 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1988, 08:06 local (15:06 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.689682, -121.59922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6897&lon=-121.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 13 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA303

## Probable cause

MECHANICS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE RIGHT ENGINE COWLING AFTER MAINTENANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - cooling system,cowling - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CREW STATED THAT WHILE ON THE GROUND AT SAN FRANCISCO, OIL WAS ADDED TO THE RIGHT ENGINE BY A MECHANIC. THE CAPTAIN STATED HE SAW THE SIX LATCHES DOWN AND THE COWLING HALVES WERE FLUSH. THE FIRST OFFICER DID NOT GET OUT OF THE AIRPLANE AND CHECK THE COWLING SINCE THE CAPTAIN HAD BEEN OUTSIDE WITH THE MECHANIC. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE TOP HALF OF THE RIGHT ENGINE COWLING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. DURING SEPARATION, IT HIT THE CABIN WINDOW AT ROW 4 CAUSING IT TO BREAK & DEPRESSURIZE THE CABIN. A LADY SEATED AT 4C RECEIVED A CUT ON HER RIGHT FOREARM & HER PURSE WAS 'SUCKED OUT' THE OPENING. AN EXAM OF THE FAILED PARTS OF THE NACELLE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREEXISTING CRACKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2683B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA-227-AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC617
- Airframe hours: 5378
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331 1000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Wings West, doing business as American Eagle
- Registered owner: Capitol Bank Of Commerce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 16, 1988, 58 hours before
- Departed: SFO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- Destination: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,900 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19880826046379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880826046379A), Aug 26, 1988: Swrngn SA227AC, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Top half NR2 engine cowl separated inflight. Broke cabin window. Lineman failed to secure cowl. Crew failed to note

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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