# NTSB NYC91LA020: Dassault-Breguet Falcon 50, N52DC, Parkersburg, WV, October 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1990, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Parkersburg, WV
- Location: 39.2613° N, 81.5434° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Parkersburg, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2613&lon=-81.5434&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA020

## Probable cause

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE FAN DISC DUE TO LOW CYCLE FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - 1 engine
  - compressor assembly,rotor disc - fatigue (cause)
  - compressor assembly,forward fan - separation

## Analysis

N52DC WAS CLIMBING THRU FL280 WHEN THE FLT CREW FELT A 'VIOLENT SHUDDER' IN THE AIRFRAME AND OBSERVED INDICATIONS OF A LEFT ENGINE FAILURE. VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENG REVEALED THE FAN SECTION HAD SEPARATED (UNCONTAINED FAILURE/TEARAWAY). THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE PARTS REVEALED THE FAN DISC FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY DUE TO LOW CYCLE FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52DC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DASSAULT-BREGUET FALCON 50
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126
- Engines: GARRETT TFE 731-3-1C 3700 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Dow Chemical Company
- Departed: LWB, LEWISBURG, WV
- Destination: MBS, SAGINAW, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19901028052109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901028052109A), Oct 28, 1990: Amd FALCON50MYST, Parkersburg, WV, Substantial damage. Climbing through FL280 left engine failed. Fan section separated. Low cycle fatigue. Engine destroyed.

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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