Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529: In Flight Loss of Propeller Blade Forced Landing

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Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529

Synopsis

On 21st August 1995, Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529, an Embraer EMB-120, was flying from Atlanta to Mississippi, when the flight experienced the loss of a propeller blade from the left engine propeller, and consequently was unable to maintain altitude. It attempted an emergency landing and crashed near Georgia. There were 9 fatalities out of the 29 people on board.

The reason for the loss of a propeller blade was due to in-flight fatigue fracture caused by a fatigue crack from multiple corrosion pits that maintenance did not discover due to poor maintenance and repair techniques and practices. Hence, the loss propeller blade resulted in distortion of the left engine nacelle, causing excessive drag, loss of wing lift and reduced directional control of the aircraft, causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly and crash.