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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 14, 1995 · Boeing 747-130 · N603FF

Jamaica, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 14, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (436 uninjured)
Location
Jamaica, NY
Aircraft
Boeing 747-130
Tail Number
N603FF
Operator
Tower Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC95IA192

The flight had reached an altitude of 14,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), when the crew reported a severe vibration in the number 1 engine. The crew shut down the engine, declared an emergency, and returned to the airport. After landing, the airplane was taxied to the gate without evacuating the passengers. Examination of the engine revealed that a turbine shroud had separated and penetrated the turbine exhaust case at the 6 to 9 o'clock position, exited the cowling, and punctured the #2 outboard reserve fuel tank plate. There was a fuel leak, but no fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure and separation of the #1 engine turbine shroud assembly, which resulted in an uncontained engine failure, a puncture of the #2 outboard reserve fuel tank plate, and a fuel leak.

Full Narrative

On August 14, 1995, about 1950 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 747-130, N603FF, operated by Tower Air Inc, as Flight 36, had an uncontained engine failure and was forced to return to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamacia, New York. The airplane received minor damage, and there were no injuries to the flightcrew or the passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a IFR flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 121, as a regularly scheduled international air carrier flight. Flight 36, destined for Paris, France, was on the departure climb and had reached an altitude of 14,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), when the crew reported a severe vibration in the number 1 engine. The crew shut the engine down, declared an emergency, and returned to Kennedy Airport. At the time of the incident the P&W, JT9D7A engine, was leased by Tower Air, and had 105 cycles since being installed on July 7, 1995. Examination of the engine revealed a turbine shroud had separated, and penetrated the turbine exhaust case at the 6 to 9 o'clock position, exited the cowling and punctured the #2 outboard reserve fuel tank, plate. There was a fuel leak, but no fire. There was no evacuation of the passengers. The airplane landed and taxied to the gate. Numerous attempts were made to secure an NTSB Form 6120.1/2, without success.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time19:50 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 747-130
Tail NumberN603FF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorTower Air
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D7A · Turbofan · 46250
Seats471

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (436 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured436
Total436
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data