Narrative:
A Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules transport plane, operated by Lynden Air Cargo, diverted to Iliamna Airport, Alaska following a rapid in-flight decompression.
The aircraft departed Bethel, Alaska at 06:50 hours local time on a flight to Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage. The airplane climbed to the planned cruising altitude of FL250. At 07:11, upon reaching 24500 feet, there was an in-flight decompression. The flight crew initiated an emergency descent to FL120, which was reached at 07:16 hours. The flight then diverted to Iliamna were a safe landing was carried out at 08:05 hours.
Examination of the airplane revealed a large hole in the forward pressure bulkhead canted web.
The next day the aircraft was ferried to Anchorage and from there to Kelowna, BC, Canada at an altitude of 10000 feet.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The fatigue failure of the forward pressure bulkhead canted web that originated from stress corrosion cracking areas. Contributing to the failure were inspection procedures and intervals inadequate to identify the crack."
Forced landing on runway
» Flightaware
flight route
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 12 February 2016 |
| Time: | 07:00 |
| Type: |  Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules |
| Operator: | Lynden Air Cargo |
| Registration: | N401LC |
| MSN: | 4606 |
| First flight: | 1975 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 55393 |
| Cycles: | 35421 |
| Engines: | 4 Allison 501-D22A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Iliamna, AK ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Bethel Airport, AK (BET/PABE), United States of America |
| Anchorage-Elmendorf AFB, AK (EDF/PAED), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | LYC401 |
A Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules transport plane, operated by Lynden Air Cargo, diverted to Iliamna Airport, Alaska following a rapid in-flight decompression.
The aircraft departed Bethel, Alaska at 06:50 hours local time on a flight to Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage. The airplane climbed to the planned cruising altitude of FL250. At 07:11, upon reaching 24500 feet, there was an in-flight decompression. The flight crew initiated an emergency descent to FL120, which was reached at 07:16 hours. The flight then diverted to Iliamna were a safe landing was carried out at 08:05 hours.
Examination of the airplane revealed a large hole in the forward pressure bulkhead canted web.
The next day the aircraft was ferried to Anchorage and from there to Kelowna, BC, Canada at an altitude of 10000 feet.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The fatigue failure of the forward pressure bulkhead canted web that originated from stress corrosion cracking areas. Contributing to the failure were inspection procedures and intervals inadequate to identify the crack."
Classification:
Forced landing on runway
Sources:
» NTSB» Flightaware
Follow-up / safety actions
The manufacturer released a Service Bulletin based on the findings of the investigation to provide more detailed instructions and updated intervals to inspect for cracking of the forward pressure bulkhead canted web.
Photos
flight route
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Bethel Airport, AK to Anchorage-Elmendorf AFB, AK as the crow flies is 645 km (403 miles).
Distance from Bethel Airport, AK to Anchorage-Elmendorf AFB, AK as the crow flies is 645 km (403 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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