Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B accident near Jamaica, New York, May 8, 1999
On May 8, 1999 at about 11:01 am local time, a Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B, registered N232AE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jamaica, New York (John F. Kennedy Intl Apt airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 29 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot-in-command's failure to perform a missed approach as required by his company procedures. Factors were the pilot-in-command's improper in-flight decisions, the pilot-in-command's failure to comply with FAA regulations and company procedures, inadequate crew coordination, and fatigue.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 1999 · about 11:01 am local time
- Place
- Jamaica, New York · John F. Kennedy Intl Apt
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 29 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B
- Registration
- N232AE · no longer on the register · serial 340B-232
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The RVR went below minimums, and the flightcrew was issued holding instructions. While flying toward the holding fix, the RVR increased. The ATC specialist offered the flightcrew the ILS approach, but advised that they might be too high. The captain accepted the approach clearance, and the ATC specialist asked if the flightcrew would be able to make the approach from their position. The captain gave an affirmative reply. He continued the entire approach with excessive altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent; while remaining above the glide slope. This was contrary to the company procedures, the instrument approach procedure, Federal Aviation Regulations 91.175, and four audible warnings from the airplane GPWS. During the approach, the first officer failed to make the required callouts, including a missed approach callout. The airplane landed approximately 7,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway, at 157 knots; and subsequently overran the runway. During interviews, both pilots stated that they were fatigued. The flightcrew was working a continuous duty overnight schedule. The previous day, they both awoke during the morning hours, did not sleep during the day, and reported for duty about 2200 for a flight scheduled at 2246. The flight was delayed, and arrived at BWI about 0100. They were asleep about 0130, and awoke about 0445 for the accident flight, which was scheduled to depart at 0610.
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 land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 2,800 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 2,200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 17,488 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 7, 1999; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 29,000 lb
- Seats: 37
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ge GECT7-9B (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Eagle Airlines, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: BWI Baltimore MD at 10:15 am
- Destination: JFK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 4R, 8,400 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 100 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 136°F (58°C), dew point 136°F (58°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:05 am from JFK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 26 |
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.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.