Incident Overview

Date: Friday 1 April 2011
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-3H4 (WL)
Owner/operator: Southwest Airlines
Registration Number: N632SW
Location: Yuma International Airport, AZ (YUM) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Minor, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 122
Component Affected: Fuselage Crown Skin PanelFuselage Crown Skin Panel
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
Southwest Airlines Flight 812 experienced a rapid depressurization at approximately 34,000 feet near Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, diverting to Yuma International Airport following a hole in the crown area of the aircraft’s fuselage. Upon landing, a 5×1-foot hole was discovered on the left side of the aircraft, aft of the stringer 4L lap joint. One flight attendant sustained a minor injury, and the incident resulted in a 16:23 landing at Yuma Airport.Southwest Airlines Flight 812 experienced a rapid depressurization at approximately 34,000 feet near Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, diverting to Yuma International Airport following a hole in the crown area of the aircraft’s fuselage. Upon landing, a 5×1-foot hole was discovered on the left side of the aircraft, aft of the stringer 4L lap joint. One flight attendant sustained a minor injury, and the incident resulted in a 16:23 landing at Yuma Airport.

Description

Southwest Airlines Flight 812, from Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ (PHX) to Sacramento International Airport, CA (SMF), diverted to Yuma International Airport, AZ (YUM) after experiencing a rapid depressurization at approximately 34,000 feet. Upon landing, a 5-foot x 1-foot hole in the crown area was observed on the left side of the airplane, aft of the over-wing exit at the stringer 4L lap joint. Of the 117 passengers and 5 crew members onboard, one flight attendant received a minor injury. Flightaware data indicate the flight was climbing through about FL344 at 15:57 when the incident happened. It landed at Yuma 16:23. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the improper installation of the fuselage crown skin panel at the S-4L lap joint during the manufacturing process, which resulted in multiple site damage fatigue cracking and eventual failure of the lower skin panel. Contributing to the injuries was flight attendant A’s incorrect assessment of his time of useful consciousness, which led to his failure to follow procedures requiring immediate donning of an oxygen mask when cabin pressure is lost.”

Source of Information

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA812/history/20110401/2225Z/KPHX/KNYL, http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/B733,_en-route,_north_of_Yuma_AZ_USA,_2011_(LOC_AW)http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA812/history/20110401/2225Z/KPHX/KNYL, http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/B733,_en-route,_north_of_Yuma_AZ_USA,_2011_(LOC_AW)

Primary Cause

Improper installation of the fuselage crown skin panel during manufacturing, leading to multiple site damage fatigue cracking and eventual failure of the lower skin panel.Improper installation of the fuselage crown skin panel during manufacturing, leading to multiple site damage fatigue cracking and eventual failure of the lower skin panel.

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