Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC 9 33F near Bethel, AK — 2017-12-23

Final reportDCA18CA056
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Date
2017-12-23
Location
Bethel, AK, USA
Airport
PABE
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC 9 33F
Registration
N935CE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

failure of a cargo tie-down fastener, resulting in unsecured cargo striking the pressure bulkhead.

NTSB narrative

On December 23, 2017 at 1221 Alaska Standard Time (AkST) a Boeing/McDonnell-Douglas DC-9, registration N935CE, experienced a depressurization on initial climb from the Bethel, Alaska, airport (PABE.) The flight crew returned to Bethel and landed with no further incident. There were no injuries to the two flight crew and one cargo handler on board. The depressurization resulted from a pallet jack in the cargo compartment impacting the rear pressure bulkhead, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Inspection revealed a tie-down fastener for the pallet jack had pulled out.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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