Little Rock - Houston

In climb, captain (pic) increased pitch, when flight attendant (f/a) entered cockpit and suggested faster climb, so she could begin cabin service. Autoflight was set in pitch and heading modes, contrary to company policy. Pic and f/a had non- pertinent conversation for 4.5 min, while 1st officer (f/o) was making log entries. Airplane stalled in IMC at 17,400 feet. Initial recovery was at 6,700 feet after f/o lower gear, then due to improper recovery, 2nd stall occurred and recovery was at 5,500 feet. Left propeller shed 3 blades, left engine cowling separated, left engine was shut down in descent. Level flight could not be maintained and forced landing was made at closed airport. Pic overshot final turn due to controllability problems and landed fast with 1,880 feet of wet runway remaining. Airplane hydroplaned off runway and was further damaged. Crew got limited sleep during 3 day trip, though rest periods available. Freezing level near 11,500 feet, clouds tops to 21,000 feet with potential for icing to 19,000 feet. No pre-accident malfunction was found.

Flight / Schedule

Little Rock - Houston

Registration

N24706

MSN

120-093

Year of Manufacture

1988

Date

April 29, 1993 at 03:55 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Pine Bluff Arkansas

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

34.2229°, -92.0043°

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On April 29, 1993 at 03:55 PM, Little Rock - Houston experienced a crash involving Embraer EMB-120 Brasília, operated by Continental Express, with the event recorded near Pine Bluff Arkansas.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

30 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 30 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 27, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. In climb, captain (pic) increased pitch, when flight attendant (f/a) entered cockpit and suggested faster climb, so she could begin cabin service. Autoflight was set in pitch and heading modes, contrary to company policy. Pic and f/a had non- pertinent conversation for 4.5 min, while 1st officer (f/o) was making log entries. Airplane stalled in IMC at 17,400 feet. Initial recovery was at 6,700 feet after f/o lower gear, then due to improper recovery, 2nd stall occurred and recovery was at 5,500 feet. Left propeller shed 3 blades, left engine cowling separated, left engine was shut down in descent. Level flight could not be maintained and forced landing was made at closed airport. Pic overshot final turn due to controllability problems and landed fast with 1,880 feet of wet runway remaining. Airplane hydroplaned off runway and was further damaged. Crew got limited sleep during 3 day trip, though rest periods available. Freezing level near 11,500 feet, clouds tops to 21,000 feet with potential for icing to 19,000 feet. No pre-accident malfunction was found.

Aircraft reference details include registration N24706, MSN 120-093, year of manufacture 1988.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 34.2229°, -92.0043°.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

In climb, captain (pic) increased pitch, when flight attendant (f/a) entered cockpit and suggested faster climb, so she could begin cabin service. Autoflight was set in pitch and heading modes, contrary to company policy. Pic and f/a had non- pertinent conversation for 4.5 min, while 1st officer (f/o) was making log entries. Airplane stalled in IMC at 17,400 feet. Initial recovery was at 6,700 feet after f/o lower gear, then due to improper recovery, 2nd stall occurred and recovery was at 5,500 feet. Left propeller shed 3 blades, left engine cowling separated, left engine was shut down in descent. Level flight could not be maintained and forced landing was made at closed airport. Pic overshot final turn due to controllability problems and landed fast with 1,880 feet of wet runway remaining. Airplane hydroplaned off runway and was further damaged. Crew got limited sleep during 3 day trip, though rest periods available. Freezing level near 11,500 feet, clouds tops to 21,000 feet with potential for icing to 19,000 feet. No pre-accident malfunction was found.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

27

Estimated Survivors

30

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 30

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Little Rock - Houston

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

N24706

MSN

120-093

Year of Manufacture

1988