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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

January 4, 1991 · Boeing B727-223 · N6821

Des Moines, IA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 4, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 102 uninjured
Location
Des Moines, IA
Aircraft
Boeing B727-223
Tail Number
N6821
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI91IA058

THE AIRPLANE WAS TAXIING TO ITS ASSIGNED GATE AFTER LANDING WHEN A FLIGHT ATTENDENT INFORMED THE CAPTAIN THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE. THE CAPTAIN IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND THE PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANNED USING THE COMPANY'S EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES. A FLIGHT ATTENDENT AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES DURING THE EVACUATION PROCESS. NINETH-SIX PASSENGERS AND SIX OTHER AIRPLANE CREWMEMBERS DID NOT RECEIVE INJURIES. A FIRE WAS NOT PRESENT, SMOKE HAD BEEN FILLING THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING SYSTEM DUCTS. THE SMOKE WAS A RESULT OF AN OIL LEAK IN THE AIRCRAFT POWER UNIT (APU) WHICH ENTERED THE APU DUCT WORK, THE AIR CONDITIONING PACKS AND ASSOCIATED CIRCULATION DUCTING. WHEN A CERTAIN HEAT RANGE HAD BEEN SELECTED THE OIL LADEN AIR WOULD CHANGE INTO SMOKE AS IT EXITED THE CABIN HEAT DUCT OPENING.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN OIL LEAK ORIGINATING FROM THE AUXILIARY POWER UNIT WHICH CREATED SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AFTER IT PASSED THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED DUCT WORK.

Full Narrative

THE AIRPLANE WAS TAXIING TO ITS ASSIGNED GATE AFTER LANDING WHEN A FLIGHT ATTENDENT INFORMED THE CAPTAIN THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE. THE CAPTAIN IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND THE PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANNED USING THE COMPANY'S EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES. A FLIGHT ATTENDENT AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES DURING THE EVACUATION PROCESS. NINETH-SIX PASSENGERS AND SIX OTHER AIRPLANE CREWMEMBERS DID NOT RECEIVE INJURIES. A FIRE WAS NOT PRESENT, SMOKE HAD BEEN FILLING THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING SYSTEM DUCTS. THE SMOKE WAS A RESULT OF AN OIL LEAK IN THE AIRCRAFT POWER UNIT (APU) WHICH ENTERED THE APU DUCT WORK, THE AIR CONDITIONING PACKS AND ASSOCIATED CIRCULATION DUCTING. WHEN A CERTAIN HEAT RANGE HAD BEEN SELECTED THE OIL LADEN AIR WOULD CHANGE INTO SMOKE AS IT EXITED THE CABIN HEAT DUCT OPENING.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time19:30 CST
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (0nm N)
Runway7
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing B727-223
Tail NumberN6821
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGe · JT-8-D-9 · Turbojet
Seats134

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 102 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured102
Total104
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time01:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data