Embraer 120 N33701

Summary

On 11 September 1991 at about 15:03 local time, a Embraer 120 registered N33701, operated by Continental Express, was involved in an accident near Eagle Lake, Texas, United States. 14 people were on board and 14 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 September 1991 at 15:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Eagle Lake, Texas, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Embraer 120

Registration

N33701

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Continental Express

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Laredo → Houston

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA91MA052

14 people died.

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)

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRPLANE BROKE UP IN FLIGHT WHILE DESCENDING FROM FL240. THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, OR TOP OF THE T-TYPE TAIL, HAD SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE 47 SCREW FASTENERS THAT WOULD HAVE ATTACHED THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE LEADING EDGE ASSEMBLY FOR THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE MISSING. THEY HAD BEEN REMOVED THE NIGHT BEFORE DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE FAA-APPROVED GENERAL MAINTENANCE MANUAL PROCEDURES BY THE MECHANICS, INSPECTORS, AND SUPERVISORS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSURING THE AIRWORTHINESS OF THE AIRPLANE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, ROUTINE SURVEILLANCE OF THE CONTINENTAL EXPRESS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT BY THE FAA WAS INADEQUATE AND DID NOT DETECT DEFICIENCIES, SUCH AS THOSE THAT LED TO THIS ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.