Summary
On September 11, 1991, a Embraer 120 (N33701) was involved in an accident near Eagle Lake, TX. The accident resulted in 14 fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE FAILURE OF CONTINENTAL EXPRESS MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION PERSONNEL TO ADHERE TO PROPER MAINTENANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES FOR THE AIRPLANE'S HORIZONTAL STABILIZER DEICE BOOTS THAT LED TO THE SUDDEN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF THE PARTIALLY SECURED LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER LEADING EDGE AND THE IMMEDIATE SEVERE NOSE-DOWN PITCHOVER AND BREAKUP OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF CONTINENTAL EXPRESS MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE APPROVED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES, AND THE FAILURE OF THE FAA SURVEILLANCE TO DETECT AND VERIFY COMPLIANCE WITH APPROVED PROCEDURES. (NTSB REPORT AAR-92/04).
SEE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD BLUE COVER REPORT AAR- 92/004.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DCA91MA052. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N33701.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE FAILURE OF CONTINENTAL EXPRESS MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION PERSONNEL TO ADHERE TO PROPER MAINTENANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES FOR THE AIRPLANE'S HORIZONTAL STABILIZER DEICE BOOTS THAT LED TO THE SUDDEN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF THE PARTIALLY SECURED LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER LEADING EDGE AND THE IMMEDIATE SEVERE NOSE-DOWN PITCHOVER AND BREAKUP OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF CONTINENTAL EXPRESS MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE APPROVED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES, AND THE FAILURE OF THE FAA SURVEILLANCE TO DETECT AND VERIFY COMPLIANCE WITH APPROVED PROCEDURES. (NTSB REPORT AAR-92/04)
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
SEE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD BLUE COVER REPORT AAR- 92/004.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DCA91MA052