Crash of a Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 731 in White Plains: 8 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 11, 1981 at 1840 LT
Registration:
N520S
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toronto - White Plains
MSN:
5084
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total hours on type:
4500.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1374
Aircraft flight hours:
7413
Aircraft flight cycles:
5308
Circumstances:
About 1840 e.s.t., on February 11, 1981, a Lockheed JetStar L-1329-731, N520S, crashed during an instrument landing system approach to runway 16 at the Westchester County Airport, White Plains, New York. The area weather was dominated by low obscured ceilings, rain, fog, and reduced visibility. Winds were strong and gusty with moderate to severe turbulence in the lower levels. Following a recent modification of the generator control. circuitry, the aircraft's electrical system had experienced several multiple generator failures.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident was a distraction to the pilot at a critical time as a the result of a major electrical system malfunction which, in combination with the adverse weather environment, caused an undetected deviation of the aircraft's flightpath into the terrain.
Final Report:
