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NTSB Report
August 21, 1990 · Boeing 737-322 · N305UA
Los Angeles, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 21, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (138 uninjured)
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 737-322
Tail Number
N305UA
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX90IA293
THE FLIGHT OF UAL FLIGHT 1257 WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE CREW EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR FOR LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AND RECEIVED AN UNSAFE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR INDICATION. THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE GEAR AND PRECEDED TO AN AIRPORT WITH A LONGER RUNWAY FOR A GEAR UP LANDING. THE LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT INJURIES. THE RIGHT POWERPLANT NACELLE RECEIVED INCIDENTAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN. WHEN THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS OPENED A 3 CELL FLASHLIGHT WAS FOUND SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE CARGO FLOORING AND THE LANDING GEAR RETRACT/EXTEND LINKAGE.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER MAINTENANCE SERVICE BY A COMPANY EMPLOYEE WHO ALLOWED A FOREIGN OBJECT (FLASHLIGHT) TO REMAIN IN THE LANDING GEAR EXTEND/RETRACT LINKAGE DURING A NIGHT SERVICING BEFORE THE FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT OF UAL FLIGHT 1257 WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE CREW EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR FOR LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AND RECEIVED AN UNSAFE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR INDICATION. THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE GEAR AND PRECEDED TO AN AIRPORT WITH A LONGER RUNWAY FOR A GEAR UP LANDING. THE LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT INJURIES. THE RIGHT POWERPLANT NACELLE RECEIVED INCIDENTAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN. WHEN THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS OPENED A 3 CELL FLASHLIGHT WAS FOUND SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE CARGO FLOORING AND THE LANDING GEAR RETRACT/EXTEND LINKAGE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:04 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles Int'L (0nm N)
Runway24L
Runway Length10285 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 737-322
Tail NumberN305UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm · 56-3B-2 · Turbofan · 22500
Seats138
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (138 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured138
Total138
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC