ATL05LA065

Factual narrative

On March 20, 2005, at 1148 eastern standard time, an Embraer EMB-135LR, N733KR, registered to and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., as Flight 650, and flown by the captain, conducted an emergency evacuation following an emergency landing at the Raleigh Durham International Airport in Raleigh, North Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 and instrument flight rules (IFR). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR Flight Plan was filed. The captain, first officer, flight attendant and 28 passengers were not injured, but one passenger received a serious injury. The fight originated from Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 20, 2005, at about 1130. 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 units 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 airplane was returned to service on March 23, 2005. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12