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27 Jan 2009: AEROSPATIALE ALENIA ATR 42-320 (N902FX) — Empire Airlines — Lubbock, TX

Lubbock, TX, United States

On 27 Jan 2009, an AEROSPATIALE ALENIA ATR 42-320 (registration N902FX) operated by Empire Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Lubbock, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight crew's failure to monitor and maintain a minimum safe airspeed while executing an instrument approach in icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

On January 27, 2009, Empire Airlines Flight 8284, an ATR 42-320, crashed short of the runway during an instrument approach at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport. The captain sustained serious injuries, the first officer minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged.

Accident Summary

On January 27, 2009, about 0437 central standard time, Empire Airlines Flight 8284, an Avions de Transport Régional Aerospatiale Alenia ATR 42-320, registration N902FX, crashed short of the runway while conducting an instrument approach to Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Lubbock, Texas. The captain sustained serious injuries, and the first officer sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged.

Aircraft and Operator

The aircraft was registered to Federal Express Corporation and operated by Empire Airlines, Inc., as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 supplemental cargo flight. It departed from Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, about 0313.

Flight Conditions

Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed.

Contributing factors

Flight crewAirspeed — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipmentPilotEmergency servicesEffect on operation
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

  • 30 Jan 1990 — Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II (Empire Airlines)

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