Embraer EMB-135LR accident near Raleigh, North Carolina, March 20, 2005
On March 20, 2005 at about 4:48 pm local time, a Embraer EMB-135LR, registered N733KR, was involved in an accident near Raleigh, North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham Int'L Airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 31 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An oily smell in the airplane shortly after takeoff for undetermined reasons that resulted in a return to the airport and a passenger injury during the emergency evacuation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 2005 · about 4:48 pm local time · cases in 2005
- Place
- Raleigh, North Carolina · Raleigh-Durham Int'L Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 31 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB-135LR · all EMB-135LRs on the register
- Registration
- N733KR · no longer on the register · serial 145-368
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the captain, shortly after takeoff there was a foul oil smell spreading throughout the cockpit and cabin. The captain declared an emergency and returned to Raleigh Durham International Airport. The flight was cleared for an approach to and an emergency landing on runway 23R. After the airplane stopped on the runway, the captain ordered an emergency evacuation of the airplane. The flight attendant opened the passenger cabin door and the forward galley door and passengers evacuated the airplane. During the evacuation, one passenger received serious injuries. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical defects. The engine and auxiliary power unit oil levels were checked and found to be satisfactory and contained no sign of leaks. Maintenance personnel checked several areas for offensive odors and signs of bleed air leaks and found no bleed air leaks or odor of oil in the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,896 hours in all; 1,452 in this make and model; 3,401 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,870 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 1, 2005; 411 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 42,549 lb
- Seats: 40
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Rolls-Royce AE 3007-A13 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls-Royce AE 3007-A13 (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RDU Raleigh NC at 4:00 pm
- Destination: EWR Newark NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23, 10,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from RDU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 28 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N733KR the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N733KR: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Embraer EMB-135 ERJ 135 and Legacy 119 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Embraer 661 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Rolls-Royce AE 3007-A13 7 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Rolls-Royce AE 3007-A13 7 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Raleigh-Durham International · nearest airport
- Newark Liberty International · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in North Carolina 1,762 since 1982 · 304 in the last ten years
- North Carolina 7,130 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N733KR 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ATL05LA065.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.