Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B N232AE

Summary

On 8 May 1999 at about 11:01 local time, a Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B registered N232AE, operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., was involved in an accident near Jamaica, New York, United States. 30 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 May 1999 at 11:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Jamaica, New York, United States

Nearest airport

John F. Kennedy Intl Apt (JFK)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B

Registration

N232AE

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

American Eagle Airlines, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Baltimore → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99FA110

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot-in-command's failure to perform a missed approach as required by his company procedures. Factors were the pilot-in-command's improper in-flight decisions, the pilot-in-command's failure to comply with FAA regulations and company procedures, inadequate crew coordination, and fatigue.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The RVR went below minimums, and the flightcrew was issued holding instructions. While flying toward the holding fix, the RVR increased. The ATC specialist offered the flightcrew the ILS approach, but advised that they might be too high. The captain accepted the approach clearance, and the ATC specialist asked if the flightcrew would be able to make the approach from their position. The captain gave an affirmative reply. He continued the entire approach with excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent; while remaining above the glide slope. This was contrary to the company procedures, the instrument approach procedure, Federal Aviation Regulations 91.175, and four audible warnings from the airplane GPWS. During the approach, the first officer failed to make the required callouts, including a missed approach callout. The airplane landed approximately 7,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway, at 157 knots; and subsequently overran the runway. During interviews, both pilots stated that they were fatigued. The flightcrew was working a continuous duty overnight schedule. The previous day, they both awoke during the morning hours, did not sleep during the day, and reported for duty about 2200 for a flight scheduled at 2246. The flight was delayed, and arrived at BWI about 0100. They were asleep about 0130, and awoke about 0445 for the accident flight, which was scheduled to depart at 0610.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.