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NTSB Report
January 4, 1990 · Boeing 727-251 · N2280
Madison, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 4, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (145 uninjured)
Location
Madison, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-251
Tail Number
N2280
Operator
Northwest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MIA90IA047
THE CREW OF THE AIRLINE FLIGHT HEARD A BANG AND NOTED THE LOSS OF NO 3 ENGINE POWER, IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FL350, DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, DIVERTED AND LANDED. AFTER LANDING THE NO 3 ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. EXAMINED AND EXHIBITED SOFT BODY FOD DAMAGE TO THE COMPRESSOR BLADES. THE FORWARD LAVATORY EXTERNAL SEAL WAS MISSING THE SAFETY BUTTON AND THE INTERNAL SEAL WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FOR LEAKAGE WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS PRESSURIZED. THE FUSELAGE EXTERNAL SKIN AFT OF THE FORWARD LAVATORY SERVICE PANEL WAS STAINED WITH BLUE FLUID.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF COMPANY SERVICE PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY SERVICE THE AIRPLANE FORWARD LAVATORY.
Full Narrative
THE CREW OF THE AIRLINE FLIGHT HEARD A BANG AND NOTED THE LOSS OF NO 3 ENGINE POWER, IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FL350, DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, DIVERTED AND LANDED. AFTER LANDING THE NO 3 ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. EXAMINED AND EXHIBITED SOFT BODY FOD DAMAGE TO THE COMPRESSOR BLADES. THE FORWARD LAVATORY EXTERNAL SEAL WAS MISSING THE SAFETY BUTTON AND THE INTERNAL SEAL WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FOR LEAKAGE WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS PRESSURIZED. THE FUSELAGE EXTERNAL SKIN AFT OF THE FORWARD LAVATORY SERVICE PANEL WAS STAINED WITH BLUE FLUID.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:10 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-251
Tail NumberN2280
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorNorthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT-8-D-15 · Turbojet · 6000
Seats145
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (145 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured145
Total145
Crew 1First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC