ATR ATR 42-300 N243AT
14 September 1991 · Muskegon, Michigan, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 14 September 1991 at about 22:05 local time, a ATR ATR 42-300 registered N243AT, operated by Simmons Airlines, was involved in an accident near Muskegon, Michigan, United States. 26 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Muskegon, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Muskegon County (MKG)
- Coordinates
- 43.2200, -86.2502
- Aircraft
- ATR ATR 42-300
- Registration
- N243AT
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Simmons Airlines
- Operating rule
- Part 121: Air Carrier
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Traverse City → Chicago
- Aircraft damage
- Not recorded
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- CHI91LA300
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
Probable cause
THE FAILURE, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, OF THE NUMBER FOUR BEARING IN THE HIGH PRESSURE SPOOL OF THE ENGINE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other ATR ATR-42 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Nov 1990 | ATR ATR-42-300 | St. Thomas | Executive Air Charter, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 13 Mar 1993 | ATR ATR 42 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Simmons | No injuries | - |
| 30 Dec 1995 | ATR ATR 42-300 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Mahalo Air | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Dec 1986 | ATR ATR-42 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1991 | Cessna 172 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | Eximous Flying Club, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | Lutz, Robert A | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 May 1991 | Cessna 182L | Port Huron, Michigan, United States | Douglas H. Mowat | No injuries | - |
| 11 May 1991 | Cessna 152 | Pontiac, Michigan, United States | Kitze Avaition, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 22 May 1991 | Cessna 177 | New Lothrop, Michigan, United States | Patrick J. Corcoran | No injuries | - |
| 10 Oct 1991 | Cessna 421B | Battle Creek, Michigan, United States | Aviation Specialist, Inc. | No injuries | - |