Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 14 September 1991
Aircraft Type: ATR 42-300
Owner/operator: Simmons Airlines
Registration Number: N243AT
Location: Muskegon, MI –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 26
Component Affected: Left Engine BearingLeft Engine Bearing
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
During a cruise flight, smoke entered the cabin and cockpit. The crew initiated an evacuation order and directed the aircraft’s attention to the rear exits. One passenger sustained serious injuries, including a broken ankle, during the evacuation. Subsequent investigation revealed a failed bearing in the left engine, leading to the destruction of an oil seal, which resulted in oil entering the cabin and cockpit as smoke.During a cruise flight, smoke entered the cabin and cockpit. The crew initiated an evacuation order and directed the aircraft’s attention to the rear exits. One passenger sustained serious injuries, including a broken ankle, during the evacuation. Subsequent investigation revealed a failed bearing in the left engine, leading to the destruction of an oil seal, which resulted in oil entering the cabin and cockpit as smoke.
Description
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN AND COCKPIT. THE CREW MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT COMMANDED AN EVACUATION, ON THE CAPTAIN’S ORDER, THROUGH THE REAR EXITS OF THE AIRCRAFT. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES (A BROKEN ANKLE) DURING THE EVACUATION. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED BEARING IN THE LEFT ENGINE. A SHAFT SHIFTED AND ALLOWED THE DESTRUCTION OF AN OIL SEAL. OIL ENTERED THE CABIN AIR SYSTEM AND WAS EMITTED IN TO THE CABIN AND COCKPIT AS SMOKE. Probable Cause: THE FAILURE, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, OF THE NUMBER FOUR BEARING IN THE HIGH PRESSURE SPOOL OF THE ENGINE.
Primary Cause
Failure of the Number Four bearing in the left engine.Failure of the Number Four bearing in the left engine.Share on:
