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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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August 28, 1992 · Douglas DC-8-61 · N845AX

Morton Grove, IL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 28, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Morton Grove, IL
Aircraft
Douglas DC-8-61
Tail Number
N845AX
Operator
Airborne Express
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI92IA260

DURING CLIMB, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR SEPARARTED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE DOOR ACTUATOR COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE, PASSING THROUGH THE ROOF AND LODGING IN THE CEILING. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO CHICAGO, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED TOTAL HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND FLUID LOSS, BUT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. BOTH THE OPERATING GLAND HOUSING AND SHAFT, AND THE ACTUATOR ROD END OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DOOR HAD FRACTURED. METALLUGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE GLAND SHAFT FRACTURE REVEALED BEACH MARKINGS AND OTHER SURFACE FEATURES THAT IN THE MOST PART WERE TYPICAL OF UNIDIRECTIONAL BENDING FATIGUE PROGRESSION.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR.

Full Narrative

DURING CLIMB, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR SEPARARTED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE DOOR ACTUATOR COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE, PASSING THROUGH THE ROOF AND LODGING IN THE CEILING. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO CHICAGO, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED TOTAL HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND FLUID LOSS, BUT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. BOTH THE OPERATING GLAND HOUSING AND SHAFT, AND THE ACTUATOR ROD END OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DOOR HAD FRACTURED. METALLUGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE GLAND SHAFT FRACTURE REVEALED BEACH MARKINGS AND OTHER SURFACE FEATURES THAT IN THE MOST PART WERE TYPICAL OF UNIDIRECTIONAL BENDING FATIGUE PROGRESSION.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time00:17 CDT
Nearest AirportO'Hare International (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-8-61
Tail NumberN845AX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAirborne Express
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT39-3B · Turbofan · 18000
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind340° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data