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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

February 9, 1998 · Boeing 727-223 · N845AA

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 1998
Injury Outcomes
23 injuries (23 minor injuries), 99 uninjured
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-223
Tail Number
N845AA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA98MA023

The full report for NTSB Report Number AAB-01-01 is available at www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm. On February 9, 1998, about 0954 central standard time (CST), a Boeing 727-223 (727), N845AA, operated by American Airlines as flight 1340, impacted the ground short of the runway 14R threshold at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) while conducting a Category II (CAT II) instrument landing system (ILS) coupled approach. Twenty-two passengers and one flight attendant received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane, being operated by American Airlines as a scheduled domestic passenger flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121, with 116 passengers, 3 flight crewmembers, and 3 flight attendants on board, was destined for Chicago, Illinois, from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Kansas City, Missouri. Daylight instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the flight crew to maintain a proper pitch attitude for a successful landing or go-around. Contributing to the accident were the divergent pitch oscillations of the airplane, which occurred during the final approach and were the result of an improper autopilot desensitization rate.

Full Narrative

The full report for NTSB Report Number AAB-01-01 is available at www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm. On February 9, 1998, about 0954 central standard time (CST), a Boeing 727-223 (727), N845AA, operated by American Airlines as flight 1340, impacted the ground short of the runway 14R threshold at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) while conducting a Category II (CAT II) instrument landing system (ILS) coupled approach. Twenty-two passengers and one flight attendant received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane, being operated by American Airlines as a scheduled domestic passenger flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121, with 116 passengers, 3 flight crewmembers, and 3 flight attendants on board, was destined for Chicago, Illinois, from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Kansas City, Missouri. Daylight instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:54 CST
Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare Internatio (0nm)
Runway14R
Runway Length13000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 727-223
Tail NumberN845AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9 · Turbojet · 14500
Seats150

People & Injuries

Injury Summary23 injuries (23 minor injuries), 99 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor23
Uninjured99
Total122
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 4 kt
Visibility0.5 sm
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data