# NTSB MKC88LA167: Swearingen SA-226, N257AM, Emporia, KS, September 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1988, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Emporia, KS
- Coordinates: 38.409751, -96.18991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4098&lon=-96.1899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - failure,total (cause)
- Decompression, cruise
  - fuselage,cabin - decompression
  - emergency procedure - performed
  - precautionary landing - performed

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 17,000 FT, THE 1ST OFFICER'S RGT WINDOW PANEL FAILED & BLEW OUTWARD. A CABIN DECOMPRESSION OCCURRED & THE COPILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CAPTAIN IMMEDIATELY DESCENDED TO 10,000 FT & CONTINUED TO THEIR DESTINATION WHERE AN OTHERWISE UNEVENTFUL LANDING WAS MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N257AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N257AM-1994-09-12), registration cancelled 1994-09-12, S/N TC389 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-226
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA226TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226tc) (registry code 8780404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-389
- Airframe hours: 16269
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Midwest
- Registered owner: Air Midwest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 15, 1988, 113 hours before
- Departed: ICT, WICHITA, KS
- Destination: MCI, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EMP, Emporia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCI, 80 nm away

## 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 19880901039669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880901039669I), Sep 1, 1988: Swrngn SA226TC, Kansas City, MO, Minor damage. Cockpit side window exploded, apparently due to material failure. Emergency landing. Medical treatment for copilot.

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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