Explosive decompression can be a very dangerous phenomenon in the domain of aviation. These events see air pressure change faster than air can escape from a person’s lungs, as well as forcefully projecting unsecured objects and debris in and around the aircraft. One such incident took place in 1988, resulting in a 737 landing without some of its roof.
How did an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 land with part of its roof missing? Photo: Aero Icarus via FlickrA classic inter-island flight
Those familiar with the world of Hawaiian commercial aviation will know that it is a market characterized by inter-island flights. During its 62-year history, which lasted from 1946 to 2008, Aloha Airlines was one such carrier that hopped between the state’s islands.
This meant that its aircraft accumulated a greater amount of flight cycles more quickly, since their day-to-day work would see them operate several short flights rather than, for example, a longer round trip. In 1988, the airline was flying the two Boeing 737s with the highest number of flight cycles, with the second being N73711, a 737-200.
Named Queen Liliuokalani, this twinjet had accrued around 35,000 flight hours across nearly 90,000 cycles in its 19-year career at the time. On April 28th, 1988, the aircraft took off from Hilo at 13:25 local time on a scheduled service, flight 243, bound for Honolulu. The short hop would turn out to be rather eventful for its 89 passengers and six crew members.
Metal fatigue prompted N73711 to experience a decompression. Photo: NTSB via Wikimedia CommonsStay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.
Disastrous decompression
The flights that N73711 had operated earlier that day had passed without incident, and the aircraft climbed to 24,000 feet as planned. However, at 13:48 local time, disaster struck, when part of the plane’s roof on the left-hand side towards the front of the cabin ruptured. This caused the controls to loosen, with the 737 rolling left and right.
This then led to an explosive decompression which tore off the cockpit door and 5.6 meters of the aircraft’s roof between the cockpit and the wings. The violent rush of air sadly caused flight attendant Clarabelle Lansing to be swept from the aircraft. Her body is still yet to be found. She was the only fatality, with all passengers seated and belted at the time.
Aloha Airlines’ 737 200s wore several liveries over the years. Photo: Bill Abbott via FlickrSafely on the ground
Following this dramatic turn of events, it was imperative to get the aircraft back on the ground as soon as possible. This prompted the flight to divert to nearby Kahului Airport on the island of Maui. The descent was also rather eventful, with the pilots having to contend with an engine failure. Furthermore, they couldn’t tell whether the landing gear was down.
However, despite these challenges, the flight was able to safely touch down just 13 minutes after the initial decompression. Its occupants then evacuated via slides. 65 of them had been injured as a result of the incident, with eight of the injuries being serious
In the aftermath of the incident, the aircraft had to be written off. Unable to fly elsewhere, it was dismantled on-site in Maui. The NTSB’s investigation into the decompression found that it had been caused by metal fatigue. Crevice corrosion was also a factor. There is now a memorial garden for Clarabelle Lansing at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
What do you make of this incident? Were you aware of the story of Aloha Airlines flight 243? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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