# NTSB NYC03IA066: Dornier 328-300, N419FJ, Wellman, OH, March 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 2003, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Wellman, OH - Coordinates: 39.484722, -84.029724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4847&lon=-84.0297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 15 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-27 - NTSB case key (mKey): 56630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03IA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56630/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03IA066 ## Probable cause An in-flight encounter with lightning. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, descent - weather condition - lightning strike (cause) ## Analysis The flight was on approach to the airport, descending from 16,000 feet to 11,000 feet. The airplane was flying through light rain, which became heavier. The captain then asked ATC for a 20-degree right turn due to weather. ATC approved the request, but soon after turning on to the new heading, the airplane was struck by lightning. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 2003, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Dornier 328-300, N419FJ, sustained minor damage during a lightning strike, while descending near Wellman, Ohio. The airplane was operated by Atlantic Coast Airlines Inc., as Delta Connection flight 6278. There were no injuries to the 3 crewmembers and 12 passengers. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Toledo Express Airport (TOL), Toledo, Ohio; destined for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Covington, Kentucky. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the scheduled air carrier flight conducted under 14 CFR part 121. The captain stated that the flight was cleared to cross the TIGRR intersection at 11,000 feet msl, on the CINCE FOUR ARRIVAL into CVG. The airplane was flying through light rain, and then heavy rain as it passed over TIGRR. At that time, the captain asked air traffic control (ATC) for a 20-degree right turn due to weather. The deviation was approved, but soon after turning to the new heading, the airplane was struck by lightning. After the lightning strike, all five display units and the flight management system (FMS) failed. The first officer then declared an emergency to ATC. Soon after, display units four and five reactivated, and the flight crew was able to restore display units one, two, and three, but not the FMS. ATC vectored the flight to the ILS Runway 36 approach to CVG. The flight landed uneventfully, and taxied to the gate. Review of weather radar revealed light to medium intensity echoes near CVG about the time of the incident. The reported weather at CVG, at 1018, was: wind from 050 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 3/4 mile in mist and light rain showers; a scattered cloud layer at 600 feet, a broken cloud layer at 1,300 feet, and an overcast cloud layer at 4,300 feet; temperature 46 degrees F; dew point 46 degrees F; altimeter 29.94 inches Hg. Examination of the airplane revealed an approximate 12-foot section of skin had separated from the upper portion of the rudder. However, during the flight, the captain did not experience any control problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N419FJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Dornier 328-300 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3173 - Airframe hours: 4528 - Engines: 6050 horsepower; Pratt & Whitney PW 306 B 6050 horsepower turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Atlantic Coast Airlines, doing business as Delta Connection - Registered owner: First Union National Bank - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 28, 2003, 90 hours before - Departed: TOL, Toledo, OH - Destination: CVG, Covington, KY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CVG, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, runway 36, 11,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 4, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 688 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 16, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 7,500 total, 1,248 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: CVG, 48 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. --- 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.