American Eagle Flight 3378 February 19, 1988 Timeline of Emergency Response Rough Draft Last updated: March 6, 2018 Introduction This document presents rough research notes that attempt to assemble a timeline of the emergency response on February 19, 1988, to the crash of American Eagle Flight 3378 at Raleigh Durham International Airport, NC. The author is Mike Legeros. Timeline Context American Airlines at RDU American Airlines had recently expanded operations at RDU. They opened a regional hub in June 1987, after construction of a new runway at RDU was completed in 1986. They also opened a reservations center in Cary for mid Atlantic flights earlier that month. [no20feb88] American Eagle had recently resumed flights from its base at RDU, after filing on January 15 for reorganization in bankruptcy court. It had abruptly halted flights on January 14. [no20feb88] Context American Eagle crashes Another American Eagle twin engine plane of same type crashed in January in Durango, CO. [no20feb88] Was the first fatal crash in the eight years of operation of AVAir, which operates American Eagle. Context RDU crashes Worst crash in airport s history. [no20feb88] Only ten fatal incident at/around RDU since 1965 (said N&O). [no20feb88] 1 Only second commercial crash at RDU, other in November 1975. [no20feb88] 2 1 Legeros counts eleven since January 1, 1965. He has records of only one other nearby fatal crash in 1953, of an Army transport plane. Source: MJL. 2 On November 12, 1975, an Eastern Air Lines Boeing 727 landed some 282 short of the runway, its gear collapsing upon impact. Eight passengers were injured, one serious. Source: MJL.
Context RDU CFR Six firefighters staff the airport crash fire rescue station each day, 24/7, plus the Fire Chief. Five firefighters are working the day of the crash. [cfr] Fire station is four miles from crash site. Crash fire rescue units include: o 1979 Chevrolet/Reading/Ansul quick response unit, 450# dry chemical, 50 gallons light water (CFR 1) o 1969 International/Ansul crash truck, 1350# dry chemical, 200 gallons light water (CFR 2) o 1977 Walter crash truck, 1000/1500/200 light water (CFR 3) o 1973 Walter crash truck, 1500/3000/500 foam (CFR 4) o 1970s Chevrolet passenger van (CFR 10). [mjl] Context The Flight American Eagle Flight 3378 Was departing for Richmond, VA, with ten passengers and two crew. Swearingen SW 4 [or Metro III] twin engine turbo prop Capacity 19 passengers. [no20feb88] One day before crash, plane had been given routine maintenance inspection. [no20feb88] No flight data or cockpit voice recorders were on board, not required on commuter planes. [no20feb88] Context Weather Visibility at 9:30 p.m., four minutes after crash, at tower was zero, with ground visibility 1/8 mile. Light drizzle and fog. Temperatures 47 degrees. Said National Weather Service at RDU. [no20feb88] Visibility was pretty poor. Ceilings were quite low, down to 100 feet. And there was light drizzle and fog. [no20feb88] Heavy fog. [no20feb88] Fog had settled in at RDU during afternoon. [no20feb88] Visibility on runway was between 2,400 and 3,000 feet when crash occurred. [dmh21dec] Final decision on take off and visibility is made by pilot. FAA sets minimum of 1,800 feet, and it was 2,800 feet when crash occurred. [no21feb88]
9:25:49 p.m. Flight cleared for immediate take off. [ntsb] Plane takes off from 10,000 foot runaway, heading southwest, and banks right. Took off to the south, banked to the west, a normal maneuver, just before crash. [no20feb88] Reaches altitude of several hundred feet. Plane had been cleared for take off by control tower and had been given a flight plan. 9:26:33 p.m. Last transmission from flight. [ntsb] Flight is told to report established on the 290 degree heading and make that turn as soon as feasible, jet traffic to department behind you. [ntsb] Captain responded three seventy eight. That was the last transmission from the flight. [ntsb] No communication from plane indicating trouble. Local controller heard but could not see the plane depart. [ntsb] Just disappeared off radar. [no20feb88] Propellers showed rotation at impact. 9:27 p.m. Plane crashes Crashes on west side of Brier Creek Reservoir, about 50 feet from edge or reservoir, in wooded area near Nelson Road, about a mile from the runway. 35 degrees 52.6 N, 78 degrees, 47.3 W About 3,000 feet from runway. [no20feb88] About 5,100 feet west of midpoint of runway 23R [ntsb] Struck water within 100 feet of shoreline [ntsb] Just off airport property, and within Cary corporate limits. Debris spread in area 150 yards long and 50 yards wide. Spread over area size of a football field. [no20feb88] Stretching 200 to 300 yards from the shore into woods between the lake and Nelson Road. [no21feb88] Apparently skimmed the surface of the lake, hit the bank, then crashed into tall pine trees. Some trees were broken off, others were skinned as much as 200 yards beyond the lake. [no21feb88]
9:27 p.m. Plane crash witnesses Witnesses hear explosion and see fireball, before the plane crashes near a small residential area. No homes damaged. [no20feb88] Sounded like a blast or something said resident who lives in mobile home about three miles from airport. It wasn t too awful loud. It was kind of muffled. [ds20dec] Mary H. Ward, lives in mobile home on north side of Nelson Road three miles from airport, heard an explosion sometime between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. It sounded like a blast or something because they ve been blasting down this road She looked out the front and back doors of her home and didn t see anything unusual. [no20feb88] Attendants at two parking lots near crash site were indoors and didn t hear or see it. [no20feb88] 9:27 p.m. Crash witnessed by airport security guard Security guard at construction site sees plan go down and catch fire after hitting ground [ds20dec] Guard called it into communications center. [dmh21dec] Was inside his closet sized guard station, watching Dallas. [no21feb88] Glanced out window and saw the plane crash 200 yards away. [no21feb88] Fireball was about ten feet high. [no21feb88] Saw blames, like dark orange and black. He went outside to look, watched flames go down, then called RDU police. [no21feb88] Heard sound like metal hitting metal. [no21feb88] 9:27 p.m. + During next three minutes, local controller clears a Cessna to land, coordinates with the departure controller, and attempts to locate flight #3378. [ntsb] 9:27:02 Air Virginia you in the turn? 9:27:59 I ve lost radar with him too 9:29:52 I think we ve lost him 9:30:16 Calling Raleigh standby [ See ntsb for full dialog ] 9:31:45 p.m. RDU local controller alerts airport crashfire rescue (CFR) unit. [ntsb] Fire station is four miles from site. Response time is 5 to 8 minutes. [dmh22dec] Response time is about 7 minutes. [from ntsb times]
9:31 p.m.+ Runway immediately shut down. Flights continue using airport s second shorter runway. Runway closed shortly after crash. [no20feb88] Airport closes briefly after crash. [no20feb88] 9:31 p.m.+ Police, fire units respond Police cars and rescue vehicles had arrived in about five minutes. [no21feb88] They pulled in alongside US.70, between the guard shack and the reservoir. [no21feb88] 9:39 p.m. CFR arrives. [ntsb] Small post crash fires erupted around each engine and its nacelle. They were quickly extinguished by arriving CFR personnel. [ntsb] Firefighters and law officers are among personnel who search the scene Relatively little debris was visible at the scene [dmh20dec] Aircraft completely disintegrated, except for two pieces no more than six or eight feet long [ds20dec] White painted metal wreckage lay scattered through the trees like pieces of paper. [no21feb88] Largest identifiable piece was part of wing that appeared leaning upright against tree. [no21feb88] Right engine found with no fire damage, but propeller missing one of four blades. [no20feb88] Left engine found burned, but propeller intact. [no20feb88] Almost no recognizable bodies at site. But there were clothes, and personal belongings. [no21feb88] [Need time] Wake and Durham County fire departments are dispatched and respond: Durham [Highway? County? City?] Cary Morrisville [ How many mutual aid units and personnel remained on scene? ] Nearest fire stations included: Bethesda 1, S. Miami Boulevard 8.2 miles Bethesda 2, Leesville Road [opened 1998, operational?] 11.0 miles Cary 1, Academy Street 8.4 miles Durham Highway 1, Davis Circle 10.1 miles Durham Highway 2, Pinecrest Road 9.3 miles Fairgrounds, Blue Ridge Road 9.0 miles Morrisville 1, Aviation Parkway 4.2 miles Parkwood 1, Seaton Road 9.2 miles Parkwood 2, Old Page Road 4.9 miles Yrac, Durham Road 8.5 miles
[Need time] 9:27 p.m. + minutes 9:27 p.m. + about 20 min later Wake and Durham County rescue squads are dispatched and respond: [Need list] [ How many total rescue personnel remained on scene? Did any? ] Responding law enforcement agencies include: RDU PD Raleigh PD Wake County SO [ How many total law officers were present, at site and perimeter? ] Other agencies Red Cross stands by with 19 volunteers Airport Asst. Director of Operations arrives. Airport Director John Brantley arrives at scene. [no20feb88] Nearest rescue squads included: Bethesda FD, S. Miami Boulevard, Durham 8.2 miles Cary Area Rescue Squad, Medcon Court, Cary 13.3 miles Parkwood FD, Seaton Road 9.2 miles Six Forks Rescue Squad, Lynn Road, Raleigh 16.1 miles Eddie Peagram, who lives near one of the runways, arrived within minutes. [no21feb88] Deputy Director was R. C. Shackelford. [no20feb88] 10:15 p.m. Runway reopened. [no20feb88] [ need time ] Media arrives Reporters and photographers are allowed to see the crash site from the opposite bank of the reservoir, a distance of about 100 yards. [ds20dec] Only small patch of ruble, two pieces of aircraft, and several scarred trees are visible. [ds20dec] [ need time ] Temporary morgue established Temporary morgue is established as the National Guard Armory, located on the south side of the airport property. [no20feb88]
Site security Perimeter of crash site is sealed off indefinitely, as investigators from several agencies comb the wreckage for cause of the crash [dmh20dec] Site is not disturbed, awaiting investigators in morning. [ need time ] CFR activities Eight members are recalled [from off duty], to assist with crash. [cfr] Second day after crash Saturday, Feb 20 Airline activities Two Raleigh area numbers provided for crash information, 848 2750 and 848 2748. Passenger list would not be released until all aboard had been verified and their relatives notified. Airline activities in Richmond Airline officials escorted about ten family members and others waiting at Gate 3 A to a conference room, where they were advised of the accident and waited for more information. [no20feb88] Relatives were still in conference room at midnight. [no20feb88] Airline brought food and drink to them. [no20feb88] 9:00 a.m., shortly before Medical examiners arrive Three members from office of state Chief Medical Examiner John D. Butts, plus sixmember team from SBI. [no20feb88] They recover body remains [during the day], which they would begin identifying on Saturday. [no20feb88] NTSB arrives NTSB representatives land at airport, but not had not yet visited site by mid morning. Thirty investigators including 10 from NTSB Safety Board meet Saturday to organize. Investigators are from four agencies. [no21feb88] The ten NTSB investigators took charge of the investigation. [no20feb88] They enlisted help from twenty more specialists from FAA, Airline Pilots Association, and AVAir. [no21feb88] Other include reps from AVAir Inc., the Airline Pilots Association, and the companies that make the plane and engines. [dmh21dec] Reps from FAA, AVAAir, APA, Fairchild Industries (built plane), Garrett (built engine). [no21feb88]
NTSB arrives (continued) Teams will study crash for four to seven days. [no21feb88] Once documented, most of the wreckage will be turned over to owner. [no21feb88] Federal officials may take parts back to labs in Washington, to study metal for fatigue or [no21feb88] Process of gathering information is a month long process. Federal investigators will issue a report after months or even a year. [no21feb88] NTSB team Barry Strauch of TSB headed investigation. [no21feb88] Other investigators took charge of seven teams, each with specialized mission. [no20feb88] o Joel Ryan Focusing on airplane s electrical and hydraulic systems. o Donald Kuhns Surveying structural damage. o Edward Wizniak Studying engines. o James McLean Gathering weather information. o William Brewner Interviewing air traffic controllers and reviewing their records. o Jeffrey Gorney Tracking flight history and maintenance record of aircraft. o James Gilldea Documenting how passengers were killed and what, if anything, could have saved them. o [no21feb88] CFR activities Fifteen firefighters working that day, including off duty personnel. [cfr] Still working on crash site. Removed bodies. Assisted medical examiners. [cfr] News media still congregated at fire station for updates. [cfr] Site activities Wreckage carefully surveyed and photographed, with record make of where every piece lay. [no20feb88] Medical examiner team worked all day marking and photographing the location of each body fragment. [no21feb88]
Site activities, Medical Examiner Extremely long, complicated, and tedious process. Body remains stored in refrigerated truck, and transported to the ME office in Chapel Hill Saturday evening. Office would begin trying to identify the bodies on Sunday, but could be difficult because they re fragmented. Dental records are primary tool for identification. Once identified, remains would be released to relatives. SBI team was on hand to help identify victims with fingerprints, and possibly clothing and jewelry. [no20feb88] Location of each body part is recorded on a grid, so it can be compared to a passenger seating chart, and investigators can reconstruct where people were thrown amid the pattern of the airplane s breakup. This can sometimes show investigators ways to make airplanes safer. [no21feb88] Information on crash passengers Authorities still notifying relatives of victims. List of identities not yet released. Security guard Spends much of day calling police on radio, to chase away curious trespassers. [no21feb88] Dozens of cars kept pulling over, and people getting out and looking through binoculars at the plane debris. [no21feb88] People tried to creep in in the dark. [no21feb88] Airline activities About twelve family members from Richmond arrive in Raleigh early Saturday morning, on bus chartered by AE. By Saturday afternoon, some 20 family members had accepted AE offer to fly or bus them to Raleigh, and provide lodging. [no21feb88] Each family was assigned an AE rep, who would answer questions. [no21feb88] Three Red Cross volunteers nurse and two EMTs were staying with them. [no21feb88] AVair activities AVair provides names of passenger and crew.
[ need time ] Statements from investigators to media No flight data recorder or voice recorder. No required on planes that seat fewer than 30. Pilots making first flight of day. Together had over 5,400 hours of flying experience. Medical examiner would perform routine toxicology tests on bodies of crew for evidence of drugs or alcohol. Typically, this flight would ve made stops in Wilmington and Fayetteville, but were cancelled due to weather. Plane started day in Knoxville, and had a maintenance check on Monday. Investigators took samples of plane s fuel. Statements on finding both engines, noted above. [no21feb88] Third day after crash Sunday, Feb. 21 Third day after crash Monday, Feb. 22 CFR activities Six Forks boats dragging lake for debris. [cfr] Three off duty firefighters assisted SFRS from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fourth off duty [?] firefighter from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., worked on report on crash and talked with FAA investigators. [cfr] Site activities Crews search reservoir using boats (but no divers yet). Six Forks Rescue Squad operates boats used for dragging operations. Exterior and interior debris are pulled from lake, all found within 40 feet of bank. [dmh22dec] Sunday night press conference First officer may have been flying, NTSB investigator says, citing voice exchanges. Plane appears to have hit water before it hit land, at some point between the bank and 40 feet out. Engines were developing power at the time of the crash. CFR activities Seven extra personnel for crash. [cfr] Continued dragging operation of reservoir to recover parts of aircraft. [cfr]
Fourth day after crash Tuesday, Feb. 23 Fifth day after crash Wednesday, Feb 24 Site activities Wake County Parks & Recreation department begins draining Brier Creek Lake. Lake was draining at about one inch per hour, expected to take 1.5 days to drain. [dmh23dec] Reservoir is part of the Crabtree Creek flood control project of dams and reservoirs. [dmh23dec] Six Forks Rescue Squad continues dragging on the lake. Several pieces are located by noon on Monday, including parts of fuselage. [dmh23dec] Medical examiner Medical Examiner reports autopsies completed. All but one body released to next of kind. Exception is military passenger, not released pending US Army arrangements. Tissue samples of crew sent to lab in Utah for testing. CFR activities No extra personnel. [cfr] Crew cleaned Six Forks boating equipment. [cfr] Site activities Salvage operations suspended in reservoir, as there appeared to be little more they could do while the lake drained. Was draining at about half the expected rate, and appeared to be refilling various streams and branches. Water where plane apparently hit is about four feet deep. Believe at least one piece from right side of fuselage still missing. Preliminary indication was landing gear was fully retracted. Press conference About 35 investigators have been working on crash site. Should be finished by Friday. Site will be turned over to AV Air Inc., company that operated the plan. Engines will be sent to their manufacturers. Instruments will be sent to a testing lab in DC.
CFR activities Each crew member provides written statements of crash. [cfr] Two members meeting with FAA and NTSB investigating team until 12:30 p.m. [cfr] Sixth day after crash Thursday, Feb. 25 Seventh day after crash Friday, Feb. 26 CFR activities Personnel receive shots to protect against tetanus and hepatitis. [cfr] [ Note: Presume as precaution after post crash exposure to body remains. ] Activities Most of 35 member team of investigators leaves. [no26feb88] Head of team says likely nine to twelve months before probably cause is determined. [no26feb88] About 50 AE and RDU employees gather at National Guard Armory, for private service for flight crew. [no26feb88] Brier Creek reservoir still being drained. Going slowly, may be several weeks before water level is low enough to determine if any wreckage is in the lake. Final search of lake will be made by FAA not NTSB. [no26feb88] Activities Head of investigation team and remaining half dozen members planning to leave that morning. March 1998 Draining of reservoir completed in early March. [ntsb] Later Activities for CFR 2/29 Four members attended Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. Also, more shots administered. 3/1 Crew receive first shot for Hepatitis B. Also attended crash debriefing at Airport Authority office. 3/2 Crew attended departmental critique of crash. 3/7 Two members attend [critical incident stress?] debriefing session at Triangle Motel. 3/9 Staff meeting and critique of crash with two Airport Authority staff members. 3/11 Review of crash critique with crew. 3/23 Crash critique at Airport Authority conference room, with Fire Chief and three CFR members.