Narrative:
A Cessna 501, N804ST, lost cabin pressurization during cruise at flight level 430 and entered an uncontrolled descent near Texarkana, Arkansas. The pilot regained consciousness and control of the airplane about 7,000 feet mean sea level and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings due to the excessive loads on the wings during the descent/recovery. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries and one passenger was uninjured.
Night meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the primary pressurization duct into the cabin was separated from its connection to the water separator. The duct's metal retaining clamp was present with its retaining screw in place. The clamp was not fractured and was resting around the metal duct leading to the separator.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to use supplemental oxygen as required during high-altitude flight, which resulted in his loss of consciousness following a loss of cabin pressurization. Contributing to the accident was the separation of the air conditioning system's primary pressurization duct and the subsequent failure of the aft pressure bulkhead check valve flapper due to progressive weakening from age."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 23 May 2016 |
| Time: | 21:56 |
| Type: |  Cessna 501 Citation I/SP |
| Operator: | Eagle II Aero LLC |
| Registration: | N804ST |
| MSN: | 501-0146 |
| First flight: | 1980 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7424 |
| Engines: | 2 Williams International FJ44-2A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | near Texarkana, AR ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Perryville Municipal Airport, MO, United States of America |
| San Antonio International Airport, TX (SAT/KSAT), United States of America |
A Cessna 501, N804ST, lost cabin pressurization during cruise at flight level 430 and entered an uncontrolled descent near Texarkana, Arkansas. The pilot regained consciousness and control of the airplane about 7,000 feet mean sea level and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings due to the excessive loads on the wings during the descent/recovery. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries and one passenger was uninjured.
Night meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the primary pressurization duct into the cabin was separated from its connection to the water separator. The duct's metal retaining clamp was present with its retaining screw in place. The clamp was not fractured and was resting around the metal duct leading to the separator.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to use supplemental oxygen as required during high-altitude flight, which resulted in his loss of consciousness following a loss of cabin pressurization. Contributing to the accident was the separation of the air conditioning system's primary pressurization duct and the subsequent failure of the aft pressure bulkhead check valve flapper due to progressive weakening from age."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Perryville Municipal Airport, MO to San Antonio International Airport, TX as the crow flies is 1212 km (758 miles).
Distance from Perryville Municipal Airport, MO to San Antonio International Airport, TX as the crow flies is 1212 km (758 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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