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Cabin Smoke Prompts Evacuation After Landing (N17231)

Colorado Spring, CO, US

On April 17, 2004, a Canadair CL-600-2B19 (registration N17231) operated by Mesa Airlines, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Colorado Spring, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of a fan by-pass check valve in the right air conditioning pack, leading to overheating of the air conditioning pack. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N17231
Aircraft registered N17231. Photo: Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

After landing, cabin smoke reported by flight attendant led captain to stop aircraft and order evacuation. Smoke described as blue and smelling like burning oil. Investigation found failed fan by-pass check valve in right air conditioning pack.

Incident Overview

While taxiing to the gate after landing, the captain received a report from a flight attendant that there was smoke in the cabin. The captain called the flight attendant back for more details, and was informed that the cabin was full of smoke. The smoke was described as blue in color and smelling like burning oil.

Evacuation

The captain stopped the airplane, set the parking brake, and ordered an evacuation. Passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft.

Investigation Findings

An examination of the airplane revealed that a fan by-pass check valve in the right air conditioning pack had failed. This failure caused the air conditioning pack to overheat.

Probable cause

Failure of a fan by-pass check valve in the right air conditioning pack, leading to overheating of the air conditioning pack.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Apr 2004 Canadair CL-600-2B19 accident near Colorado Spring, CO?

After landing, cabin smoke reported by flight attendant led captain to stop aircraft and order evacuation. Smoke described as blue and smelling like burning oil. Investigation found failed fan by-pass check valve in right air conditioning pack.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Apr 2004 Canadair CL-600-2B19 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Apr 2004 involved a Canadair CL-600-2B19, registration N17231, operated by Mesa Airlines, Inc., at Colorado Spring, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of a fan by-pass check valve in the right air conditioning pack, leading to overheating of the air conditioning pack.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040419X00477. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.