Probable cause
Improper maintenance of the windshield, which resulted in delamination and in-flight depressurization.
NTSB analysis
During the climb to cruise altitude on a cross-country flight, the pilot heard a loud bang and the pilot's side windshield shattered and the cabin began depressurizing. The pilot returned to the departure airport and landed uneventfully, where he noticed that the seal was extruded in two places around the outer pane. The windshield was sent to the manufacturer for a detailed examination, which revealed that 80% of the fiberglass straps were missing, and they were likely removed by maintenance personnel. A combination of missing straps and heavy delamination caused the outboard ply to become detached from the edge attachment. Moisture ingress at the bottom aft edge caused delamination and arcing. There was no record in the airframe logbook of the straps’ removal.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA137 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 24, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Pilatus PC12
- N-number
- N944BT
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2002
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.