Aloha Airlines 243
Abstract
On 28 April 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243 experienced structural failure and consequent explosive decompression at 24,000 ft. over the Pacific Ocean while en route from Hilo to Honolulu, HI. The flight crew enacted appropriate contingency procedures and was able to safely land the aircraft at Kahului Airport in Maui. During the event, an 18-ft. section of the fuselage skin had separated from the aircraft.
The study of this accident and the safety issues identified as a result are classic examples as to why safety programs are so important in the Aerospace Industry; particularly during the Operational Phase of an aircraft¡¦s life cycle.
Some of the key safety issues identified are the execution of Aloha Airlines maintenance programs and their subsequent oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), human factor aspects to include the repair procedures, training, management of, and qualifications of mechanics and inspectors, and the critical oversights during the design phase of the B737 by Boeing Aircraft Group (BAC).
Aloha Airlines Flight 243: An Accident Synopsis
On 28 April 1988, at 1346, a Boeing 737-200, tail number N73711, operated by Aloha Airlines identified as flight 243 (NTSB, 1989, Pg. i.) suffered a structural failure and explosive decompression at 24,000 ft. The aircraft was on its fifth flight of the day accomplishing the usual ¡§short hops¡¨ between the Hawaiian Islands en route form Hilo to Honolulu. There were two pilots, three flight attendants, a FAA observer in the jump seat, and eighty-nine passengers on board. At the moment of the rapid decompression, a flight attendant was literally sucked out of the fuselage and was never found and presumed dead. Seven passengers and one flight attendant suffered serious injuries. The rest of the souls on board were unharmed aside from the shock of the accident.
The flight crew was able to exercise the appropriate contingency procedures and land safely on the island of
On 28 April 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243 experienced structural failure and consequent explosive decompression at 24,000 ft. over the Pacific Ocean while en route from Hilo to Honolulu, HI. The flight crew enacted appropriate contingency procedures and was able to safely land the aircraft at Kahului Airport in Maui. During the event, an 18-ft. section of the fuselage skin had separated from the aircraft.
The study of this accident and the safety issues identified as a result are classic examples as to why safety programs are so important in the Aerospace Industry; particularly during the Operational Phase of an aircraft¡¦s life cycle.
Some of the key safety issues identified are the execution of Aloha Airlines maintenance programs and their subsequent oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), human factor aspects to include the repair procedures, training, management of, and qualifications of mechanics and inspectors, and the critical oversights during the design phase of the B737 by Boeing Aircraft Group (BAC).
Aloha Airlines Flight 243: An Accident Synopsis
On 28 April 1988, at 1346, a Boeing 737-200, tail number N73711, operated by Aloha Airlines identified as flight 243 (NTSB, 1989, Pg. i.) suffered a structural failure and explosive decompression at 24,000 ft. The aircraft was on its fifth flight of the day accomplishing the usual ¡§short hops¡¨ between the Hawaiian Islands en route form Hilo to Honolulu. There were two pilots, three flight attendants, a FAA observer in the jump seat, and eighty-nine passengers on board. At the moment of the rapid decompression, a flight attendant was literally sucked out of the fuselage and was never found and presumed dead. Seven passengers and one flight attendant suffered serious injuries. The rest of the souls on board were unharmed aside from the shock of the accident.
The flight crew was able to exercise the appropriate contingency procedures and land safely on the island of
References: NTSB, Aircraft Accident Report/ AAR 89/03, April 1988 www.airdisaster.com/photos/aloha243/6.html http:courses.erau.edu/sfty3351s103/case1.html Stephenson, System Safety 2000, 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.