Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529
Steven Meyer • March 20, 2024
Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529 was a tragic aviation incident that occurred on August 21, 1995. The flight, operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, was a regularly scheduled domestic flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Gulfport, Mississippi. The aircraft involved was a twin-engine turboprop Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, carrying 29 passengers and 3 crew members.
The flight took off from Atlanta at 4:47 p.m. local time. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) over Carrollton, Georgia, the aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure in its left engine. The engine failure was caused by the separation of the engine's front hub, resulting in the detachment of the propeller and associated parts.
The sudden engine failure created significant challenges for the flight crew. The force of the engine separation caused severe damage to the left wing, including the loss of hydraulic systems, rendering the aircraft difficult to control. The pilots initiated an emergency descent and attempted to reach a nearby airport for an emergency landing.
Despite their efforts, the pilots struggled to maintain control of the aircraft as it rapidly descended. Passengers onboard reported feeling intense vibrations and hearing loud noises as the plane descended towards the ground. The flight crew issued a distress call to air traffic control, informing them of their emergency situation.
As the aircraft descended, the flight crew attempted to prepare the passengers for an emergency landing. However, due to the severity of the damage and the loss of control, the pilots were unable to execute a safe landing. At approximately 4:57 p.m., Flight 529 crashed into a field near Carrollton, Georgia, approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) from the point of engine failure.
The impact of the crash was devastating. The aircraft broke apart upon impact, scattering debris across the field. Tragically, all 29 passengers and 3 crew members onboard Flight 529 lost their lives in the crash. Despite the valiant efforts of the flight crew, the severity of the engine failure and resulting damage to the aircraft made survival unlikely.
In the aftermath of the accident, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the engine failure and the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation revealed that the engine failure was caused by a fatigue crack in the engine's front hub, which had gone undetected during routine maintenance inspections.
The crash of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529 served as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous maintenance procedures and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of commercial aviation. The lessons learned from this tragic accident have contributed to advancements in aircraft maintenance practices and safety regulations, helping to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sources: FAA, Simple Flying, NTSB, Confessions of a Trolley Dolly, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Images: Simple Flying, Confessions of a Trolley Dolly, Imgur, Aviation Accidents, Flight Safety Detectives, John Goglia
