Investigation Summary
Shortly after takeoff, a passenger noticed fluid leaking from the right engine, followed by a loss of power and a visible fire. The crew declared an emergency and attempted to return to the airport. The fire was so intense that it caused a fuel explosion within the nacelle, which blew off the center access panels. This created an opening that allowed the fire to bypass the fire suppression system and sever critical hydraulic lines. Because the fire damaged both the primary and standby hydraulic systems, the crew lost control of the nose wheel steering and brakes. Upon landing, the aircraft could not be steered or effectively slowed. The NTSB investigation also noted that the ground spoilers had not been activated by the crew, which, combined with the loss of hydraulic systems, led to a high-speed excursion into the terminal area where the aircraft struck jetways B7, B9, and B11.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the improper installation of the high-pressure fuel filter cover, likely occurring at the engine manufacturer, which allowed a massive fuel leak. Airline maintenance personnel failed to detect this error. The accident was further compounded by the loss of engine access panels due to a fuel explosion, which negated the fire suppression system and allowed the fire to burn through hydraulic lines, resulting in a total loss of directional control on the ground.
Video Analysis
CCTV recording of the crash — Airport security footage showing Horizon Air Flight 2658 veering off the runway and colliding with terminal jetways.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Carl Eric Carlson, age 38.
First Officer
Mark Raymond Hilstad, age 35.
Systems & Failure Modes
Hydraulic System
The fire burned through hydraulic lines, causing a failure of both primary and standby systems, which disabled nose wheel steering, ground spoilers, and normal braking.
Fire Suppression System
Designed to flood the engine nacelle with extinguishing agent, the system failed because the nacelle panels were blown off by a fuel explosion, allowing the agent to escape.
High-Pressure Fuel Filter
An improperly installed cover on this component allowed fuel to spray into the engine nacelle, leading to the fire and explosion.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was the first total loss of a de Havilland Canada DHC-8 series aircraft.
- 02The fire suppression system was rendered ineffective because the explosion blew off the panels meant to contain the extinguishing agent.
- 03A total of 31 people were injured (4 serious, 27 minor); the four seriously injured were all seated on the right side of the aircraft.
- 04The cockpit door jammed during the impact, requiring firefighters to free the crew from the outside.
- 05The estimated value of damaged ground equipment, including three jetways, was $280,000.
Safety Actions & Advisories
FAA Airworthiness Directive 88-09-06
Following the accident, the FAA issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) requiring immediate inspection of the high-pressure fuel filter cover on all Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 series engines to ensure proper installation and torque of the cover bolts.