# NTSB SEA90IA085: Fairchild SA227, N27442, Olympia, WA, May 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1990, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Olympia, WA
- Coordinates: 46.97089, -122.870971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9709&lon=-122.8710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 19 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90IA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90IA085

## Probable cause

DUE TO AN ICE BUILD-UP DEPARTING THE PROPELLER AND STRIKING THE CABIN WINDOW.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - window,cabin - penetrated (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING FROM 14,000 FEET, THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SIDE CABIN WINDOW SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. AN EMERGENCY DESCENT WAS INITIATED TO THE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRPLANE LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE WINDOW AND FRAME WERE INSPECTED AND NOTED THAT THE FRAME AND CONNECTING BOLTS APPEARED UNDAMAGED. TWO INDENTATIONS WERE NOTED ON THE FUSELAGE JUST FORWARD OF THE WINDOW AND AFT OF THE ICE PROTECTION PLATE. PASSENGERS REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THE WINDOW BLOW OUT, LOUD BUMPS OR THUMPS WERE HEARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27442](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27442), registered now, S/N AC750-B, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA227
- Registry model: [Fairchild SA227-AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-sa227-ac) (registry code 3377509) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC-750
- Airframe hours: 675
- Engines: GARRETT TPE311 1591 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Horizon Airlines
- Registered owner: Investors Asset Holding Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 17, 1990, 36 hours before
- Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: 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).

- [Incident 19900523017069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900523017069I), May 23, 1990: Swrngn SA227AC, Seattle, WA, Minor damage. Cabin window blew out on descent. Passenger partly sucked out but rescued. Emergency landing. Window 2E.

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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