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NTSB Report

December 25, 1994 · Douglas DC-8-54F · N427FB

New York, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
Douglas DC-8-54F
Tail Number
N427FB
Operator
Fine Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
BFO95IA023

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILED. POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE GEAR REVEALED THAT ITS SHOCK STRUT PISTON LUG HAD FAILED DUE TO STRESS CORROSION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR'S SHOCK STRUT PISTON LUG DUE TO STRESS CORROSION.

Full Narrative

On December 25, 1994, at 0200 eastern standard time, a DC-8-54F, N427FB, had its right main landing gear shock strut fail during the takeoff roll on runway 31L at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, New York. The three crew members and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The scheduled cargo flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the Captain, during the takeoff roll he noticed the airplane shaking. He stated he aborted the takeoff and turned the airplane onto taxiway KK and stopped it at the hold-short line. He stated he tried to taxi the airplane from the hold-short line but it would not move. On scene examination of the airplane's right main landing gear revealed the gear had separated near its torque links. The two outboard tires were deflated and the two inboard tires remained inflated. The failed landing gear was returned to the airplane manufacturer for examination. The examination revealed that the airplane's piston lug on the shock strut had failed. The manufacturer's Examination Report stated, "The failure of subject piston was attributed to stress corrosion cracking. The primary origin area occurred along the inner radius of the forward torque link attach lug. The slow growth crack propagation exhibited a predominant inter-granular (I.G.) mode of rupture with associated corrosion attack of the I.G. facets decreasing with increasing crack depth. At the crack depth of 0.06 inch the crack transitions into a dimple mode of rupture indicative of overload. The overload portion joined with two additional fractures resulting in complete separation of the part."

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time02:00 EST
Nearest AirportJohn F. Kennedy Intl (0nm)
Runway31L
Runway Length14572 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVfif
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-8-54F
Tail NumberN427FB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorFine Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT3D-3B · Turbojet · 18000
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time07:00
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data