On April 22, 1988, a DE Havilland DHC-8-101/102 (registration N804MX) operated by Eastern Metro Express was involved in an aviation accident near Dothan, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failed low pressure turbine blades due to internal corrosion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Flight crew of a DHC-8 experienced low oil pressure warning followed by right engine fire warning at 12,000 ft. Fire extinguished after two extinguisher discharges; landing completed safely. Inspection revealed broken oil lines and failed turbine blades due to internal corrosion.
Incident Description
During cruise flight at 12,000 feet, the flight crew of a DHC-8 aircraft observed a low oil pressure warning light. Approximately five seconds later, the right engine fire warning light illuminated. The crew confirmed the presence of a fire and discharged the engine fire extinguisher. The fire was initially extinguished but flared up again, prompting the crew to discharge the second fire extinguisher bottle. The fire was subsequently extinguished, and the aircraft completed a landing without further incident.
Post-Inspection Findings
Inspection following the event revealed broken oil lines to the number 6 and 7 bearings. Further investigation identified failed low pressure turbine blades due to internal corrosion. According to the manufacturer, new solid blades are under engineering evaluation.
Probable cause
Failed low pressure turbine blades due to internal corrosion.
What happened in the 22 Apr 1988 DE Havilland DHC-8-101/102 accident near Dothan, AL?
Flight crew of a DHC-8 experienced low oil pressure warning followed by right engine fire warning at 12,000 ft. Fire extinguished after two extinguisher discharges; landing completed safely. Inspection revealed broken oil lines and failed turbine blades due to internal corrosion.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Apr 1988 involved a DE Havilland DHC-8-101/102, registration N804MX, operated by Eastern Metro Express, at Dothan, AL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failed low pressure turbine blades due to internal corrosion.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…