Pilot Debrief

Pilatus PC12 near FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — 2019-03-24

Final reportERA19LA137
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Date
2019-03-24
Location
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA
Aircraft
Pilatus PC12
Registration
N944BT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

Improper maintenance of the windshield, which resulted in delamination and in-flight depressurization.

NTSB narrative

During the climb to cruise altitude on a cross-country flight, the pilot heard a loud bang and the pilot's side windshield shattered and the cabin began depressurizing. The pilot returned to the departure airport and landed uneventfully, where he noticed that the seal was extruded in two places around the outer pane. The windshield was sent to the manufacturer for a detailed examination, which revealed that 80% of the fiberglass straps were missing, and they were likely removed by maintenance personnel. A combination of missing straps and heavy delamination caused the outboard ply to become detached from the edge attachment. Moisture ingress at the bottom aft edge caused delamination and arcing. There was no record in the airframe logbook of the straps’ removal.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Maintenance personnel should not have removed the fiberglass straps.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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