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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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April 10, 1991 · Boeing 737-222 · N9003U

Seattle, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 10, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 31 uninjured
Location
Seattle, WA
Aircraft
Boeing 737-222
Tail Number
N9003U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
SEA91IA081

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE FLIGHT CREW HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY AIRFRAME VIBRATIONS. THE CREW WAS NOTIFIED BY THE CONTROL TOWER THAT SMOKE AND FLAME WERE EMITTING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. THE FLIGHT CREW DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND. THE PILOT DISCHARGED A BANK OF FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE FLIGHT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. DURING THE FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT A TURBINE BLADE FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE FLIGHT CREW HAD RECEIVED AN INDICTION THAT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT HAD DISCHARGED, HOWEVER, IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT IT DIDN'T DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF AN INCORRECT DISCHARGE OUTLET. THE REAR EMERGENCY SLIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SLOW IN INFLATING AND WAS NOT USABLE FOR THE EVACUATION. THE SLIDE WAS INSTALLED ON A TEST STAND AND FOUND TO OPERATE WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING PARAMETERS.

NTSB Probable Cause

TURBINE BLADE FAILURE FROM FATIGUE. FACTORS TO THE INCIDENT WERE INOPERATIVE ENGINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, INADEQUATE SERVICE OF AIRCRAFT AND DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGENCY SLIDE.

Full Narrative

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE FLIGHT CREW HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY AIRFRAME VIBRATIONS. THE CREW WAS NOTIFIED BY THE CONTROL TOWER THAT SMOKE AND FLAME WERE EMITTING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. THE FLIGHT CREW DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND. THE PILOT DISCHARGED A BANK OF FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE FLIGHT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. DURING THE FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT A TURBINE BLADE FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE FLIGHT CREW HAD RECEIVED AN INDICTION THAT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT HAD DISCHARGED, HOWEVER, IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT IT DIDN'T DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF AN INCORRECT DISCHARGE OUTLET. THE REAR EMERGENCY SLIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SLOW IN INFLATING AND WAS NOT USABLE FOR THE EVACUATION. THE SLIDE WAS INSTALLED ON A TEST STAND AND FOUND TO OPERATE WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING PARAMETERS.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time19:54 PDT
Nearest AirportSEATTLE (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length9425 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-222
Tail NumberN9003U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7B · Turbojet · 14500
Seats100

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 31 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured31
Total33
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data