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NTSB Report
February 15, 1992 · Douglas DC-8-63 · N794AL
Swanton, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1992
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Swanton, OH
Aircraft
Douglas DC-8-63
Tail Number
N794AL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA92MA022
THE FIRST OFFICER HAD MADE TWO ILS APPROACHES, BUT, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, FAILED TO PROPERLY CAPTURE THE ILS LOCALIZER AND/OR GLIDESLOPE. DURING THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH, THE CAPTAIN ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE; HOWEVER, HE APPARENTLY BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED, AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE TO DEVELOP WITH BANK ANGLES UP TO 80 DEG AND PITCH ANGLES UP TO 25 DEG. THE FIRST OFFICER ASSUMED CONTROL AND BEGAN LEVELING THE WINGS AND RAISING THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE, BUT IMPACT OCCURRED BEFORE THE UNUSUAL ATTITUDE RECOVERY WAS COMPLETED. THE OPERABILITY OF THE CAPTAIN'S ATTITUDE DIRECTOR INDICATOR AT THE TIME CONTROL WAS LOST IS UNCERTAIN.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHTCREW TO PROPERLY RECOGNIZE OR RECOVER IN A TIMELY MANNER FROM THE UNUSUAL AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE THAT RESULTED FROM THE CAPTAIN'S APPARENT SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, RESULTING FROM PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS AND/OR A FAILED ATTITUDE DIRECTOR INDICATOR. (NTSB REPORT AAR-92/05)
Full Narrative
THE FIRST OFFICER HAD MADE TWO ILS APPROACHES, BUT, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, FAILED TO PROPERLY CAPTURE THE ILS LOCALIZER AND/OR GLIDESLOPE. DURING THE SECOND MISSED APPROACH, THE CAPTAIN ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE; HOWEVER, HE APPARENTLY BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED, AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE TO DEVELOP WITH BANK ANGLES UP TO 80 DEG AND PITCH ANGLES UP TO 25 DEG. THE FIRST OFFICER ASSUMED CONTROL AND BEGAN LEVELING THE WINGS AND RAISING THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE, BUT IMPACT OCCURRED BEFORE THE UNUSUAL ATTITUDE RECOVERY WAS COMPLETED. THE OPERABILITY OF THE CAPTAIN'S ATTITUDE DIRECTOR INDICATOR AT THE TIME CONTROL WAS LOST IS UNCERTAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:26 EST
Nearest AirportToledo Express (3nm N)
Runway7
Runway Length10600 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDouglas DC-8-63
Tail NumberN794AL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT3D-7 · Turbofan
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 13 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time08:34
Weather SourceWFAC