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A CE550 flight crew experienced a rapid decompression as they began descent to their destination. They declared an emergency and were expedited to a safe landing by ATC.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 998348 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201203 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | Mixed |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Citation II S2/Bravo (C550) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 135 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Pressurization System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 3200 Flight Crew Type 850 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
Our aircraft experienced a rapid decompression while descending from FL300 to 12;000. The decompression occurred around FL280. We recognized the situation and initiated an emergency descent to 10;000. Upon reaching a safe altitude of 12;000 ft we advised ATC of the decompression; and declared an emergency. At this time ATC cleared us to descend to 2;800 and proceed to an IAF at our destination. The crew did so and landed safely.the rapid decompression was thought to have been caused by a build up of moisture in the door seal which turned to ice crystals at altitude. This blocked the airflow into the door seal causing a leak that allowed the cabin to rapidly depressurize. This was corrected by draining the door seal and lines to it more frequently during maintenance checks.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A CE550 flight crew experienced a rapid decompression as they began descent to their destination. They declared an emergency and were expedited to a safe landing by ATC.
Narrative: Our aircraft experienced a rapid decompression while descending from FL300 to 12;000. The decompression occurred around FL280. We recognized the situation and initiated an emergency descent to 10;000. Upon reaching a safe altitude of 12;000 FT we advised ATC of the decompression; and declared an emergency. At this time ATC cleared us to descend to 2;800 and proceed to an IAF at our destination. The crew did so and landed safely.The rapid decompression was thought to have been caused by a build up of moisture in the door seal which turned to ice crystals at altitude. This blocked the airflow into the door seal causing a leak that allowed the cabin to rapidly depressurize. This was corrected by draining the door seal and lines to it more frequently during maintenance checks.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.