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NTSB Report
January 16, 1990 · Boeing 757-222 · N505UA
New York, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (176 uninjured)
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
Boeing 757-222
Tail Number
N505UA
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN90LA046
WHILE PREPARING FOR FLT IN A BOEING 757, THE 1ST OFFICER (FO) INADVERTENTLY COMPUTED THE TAKEOFF DATA BY USING THE BOEING 767 DATA. V1, VR & V2 SPEEDS WERE CALCULATED TO BE 115, 118 & 129 KTS. THE CORRECT SPEEDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN 145, 148 & 152 KTS. THE CAPT DID NOT CONFIRM THE V-SPEED COMPUTATION; BOTH PLTS SET THEIR AIRSPEED BUGS AT THE IMPROPER SPEEDS. DURING LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WAS OVERROTATED & THE LOWER AFT FUSELAGE CONTACTED THE RWY. THE CREW NOTED A 'JOLT,' BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO THEIR DESTN AFTER DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH MAINTENANCE PSNL. AFTER LANDING, DAMAGE WAS NOTED TO THE LOWER AFT SKIN, AFT PRESSURE BULKHEAD & ASSOCIATED STRUCTURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
OVERROTATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FIRST OFFICER'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT MANUAL, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS IMPROPER CALCULATIONS OF THE ROTATION SPEED, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION CONCERNING VERIFICATION OF THE TAKEOFF DATA BY THE CAPTAIN.
Full Narrative
WHILE PREPARING FOR FLT IN A BOEING 757, THE 1ST OFFICER (FO) INADVERTENTLY COMPUTED THE TAKEOFF DATA BY USING THE BOEING 767 DATA. V1, VR & V2 SPEEDS WERE CALCULATED TO BE 115, 118 & 129 KTS. THE CORRECT SPEEDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN 145, 148 & 152 KTS. THE CAPT DID NOT CONFIRM THE V-SPEED COMPUTATION; BOTH PLTS SET THEIR AIRSPEED BUGS AT THE IMPROPER SPEEDS. DURING LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WAS OVERROTATED & THE LOWER AFT FUSELAGE CONTACTED THE RWY. THE CREW NOTED A 'JOLT,' BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO THEIR DESTN AFTER DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH MAINTENANCE PSNL. AFTER LANDING, DAMAGE WAS NOTED TO THE LOWER AFT SKIN, AFT PRESSURE BULKHEAD & ASSOCIATED STRUCTURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:03 EST
Nearest AirportLa Guardia (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 757-222
Tail NumberN505UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · 2040 · Turbofan · 37000
Seats197
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (176 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured176
Total176
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 4 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:03
Weather SourceWFAC