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NTSB Report
December 23, 1991 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-30 · N142AA
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 23, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (315 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-30
Tail Number
N142AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI92IA061
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 73 (N142AA) WAS HOLDING IN POSITION ON RUNWAY 32R. AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 489 (N497AA) WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 9L. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 873 WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 32L, FROM T1 INTERSECTION. BOTH FLIGHT 73 AND FLIGHT 873 ACKNOWLEDGED THE CLEARANCE AND INITIATED TAKEOFF ROLLS. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER DID NOT DETECT THE CONFUSION. A NEAR COLLISION OF TWO OF THE AIRCRAFT OCCURRED WHEN FLIGHT 489, IN THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF FLIGHT, PASSED OVER FLIGHT 73, ON TAKEOFF ROLL, IN THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 32R AND 9L.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOCAL CONTROLLER'S NOT UNDERSTANDING READ BACK OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF FLIGHT 73 NOT UNDERSTANDING VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS; LOCAL CONTROLLER NOT VISUALLY IDENTIFYING THE AIRCRAFT; AND INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE (FAA) IN THE TOWER.
Full Narrative
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 73 (N142AA) WAS HOLDING IN POSITION ON RUNWAY 32R. AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 489 (N497AA) WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 9L. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 873 WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 32L, FROM T1 INTERSECTION. BOTH FLIGHT 73 AND FLIGHT 873 ACKNOWLEDGED THE CLEARANCE AND INITIATED TAKEOFF ROLLS. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER DID NOT DETECT THE CONFUSION. A NEAR COLLISION OF TWO OF THE AIRCRAFT OCCURRED WHEN FLIGHT 489, IN THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF FLIGHT, PASSED OVER FLIGHT 73, ON TAKEOFF ROLL, IN THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 32R AND 9L.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:05 CST
Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length10003 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-30
Tail NumberN142AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-50C2 · Turbofan | P&W · JT8D-217 · Turbofan · 20000
Seats305
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (315 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured315
Total315
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class
Crew 2Age 59 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC