# NTSB SEA88IA051: Piper PA-31T, N2645Z, Las Vegas, NV, February 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1988, 16:10 local (Feb 19, 1988, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.079742, -115.140548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0797&lon=-115.1405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88IA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88IA051

## 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)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
  - fuselage,cabin - decompression

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT FL270, RIGHT SIDE COCKPIT WINDOW FAILED, RESULTING IN DECOMPRESSION. ACFT DIVERTED TO NORMAL LANDING. EXAMINATION REVEALED LOWER BOLTS OVERTORQUED AND PLEXIGLAS COMPROMISED BY EXCESS PRIMER, INITIATING CRACKING. EVIDENCE INDICATED WINDOW NOT ORIGINAL INSTALLATION, BUT REVIEW OF MAINT RECORDS SHOWED NO RECORD OF WINDOW REPLACEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2645Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-7520009
- Airframe hours: 4389
- Engines: P&W PT6A-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Executive Air Service, doing business as San Diego Air Charter
- Registered owner: W. D. Hancock & Co.
- Departed: CCB, CABLE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; 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: 4,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880218003519I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880218003519I), Feb 18, 1988: Piper PA31T, Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. Copilot window exploded resulting in rapid decompression. Window had been replaced. Improper torqued and sealant.

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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