NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-80-021
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: ISSUE AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE RESTRICTING THE CABIN PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL IN SWEARINGEN SA-226 AIRCRAFT UNTIL THE CAUSE OF THE AFT CARGO DOOR FAILURE CAN BE DETERMINED AND AN APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION CARRIED OUT. (URGENT)
Safety Issue and Context
ON MARCH 8, 1980, A SWEARINGEN SA-226 AT, N720R, WITH A CREW OF TWO AND SIX PASSENGERS, EXPERIENCED A RAPID DECOMPRESSION AT 16,000 FEET WHEN MOST OF THE AFT CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. ABOUT 3/4 OF THE DOOR ALONG WITH INTERIOR FURNISHINGS, INCLUDING AN UNOCCUPIED PASSENGER SEAT, SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. TWO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED SLIGHTLY DURING THE DECOMPRESSION AND THE EMPENNAGE WAS DAMAGED SLIGHTLY WHEN SOME OF THE MATERIAL FROM THE CARGO DOOR OR THE CABIN STRUCK THE UPPER FUSELAGE AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. SOME OF THE MATERIAL FROM THE CABIN LODGED AROUND THE CONTROL SURFACES IN THE EMPANNAGE. A SAFE LANDING WAS MADE IN ALBANY, NEW YORK.
ALTHOUGH GROUND SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE SEPARATED ITEMS, ONLY BAGGAGE HAS THUS FAR BEEN RECOVERED.
Response History
May 13, 1980 · Recipient Response · FAA
FAA LTR: EMERGENCY TELEGRAPHIC AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD), NO. T80SW 14, APPLICABLE TO OPERATORS OF SWEARINGEN MODEL SA226TC AND SA226AT AIRPLANES, WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 15, 1980. THE AD REQUIRED AN IMMEDIATE INSPECTION OF THE DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM OF THE AFT CARGO DOOR TO ASSURE PROPER ADJUSTMENT, OPERATION, AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, AND PROHIBITED FLIGHT OPERATION WITH A PRESSURIZED CABIN. LATER ON MARCH 15, AD T80SW 14 WAS AMENDED BY ADDING A CLARIFYING PARAGRAPH REQUIRING COMPLIANCE PRIOR TO FURTHER FLIGHT. ON MARCH 19, TELEGRAPHIC AD T80SW 15 WAS ISSUED, SUPERSEDING AD T80SW 14, AS AMENDED.
THIS AD T80SW 15 INCLUDES THE PROVISIONS OF AD T80SW 14 AND PROVIDES FOR INSPECTION AT 250-HOUR INTERVALS TO ASSURE PROPER ADJUSTMENT, OPERATION, AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DOOR SYSTEM.
May 5, 1980 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The safety board has examined emergency telegraphic airworthiness directive (ad), no. 580sw14, dated march 15, 1980, as amended, and emergency telegraphic ad t80sw15, dated march 19, 1980. We are satisfied that compliance with these ad's will fulfill safety recommendations a-80-20 and 21, which are now classified in a closed-- acceptable action status.