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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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December 20, 1990 · Boeing 727-22 · N40486

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (125 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Boeing 727-22
Tail Number
N40486
Operator
Continental Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN91IA028

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 800 FEET AGL, THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE FAILED. THE CAPTAIN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLIGHT TO DENVER WHERE HE LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED BEARING FAILURE DUE TO A CRACK IN THE NUMBER SIX BEARING OUTER RACE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TURBINE FAILURE. UNCONTAINED PENETRATION OCURRED AT THE 2:30, 5:30, AND 6:30 POSITIONS.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 800 FEET AGL, THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE FAILED. THE CAPTAIN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLIGHT TO DENVER WHERE HE LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED BEARING FAILURE DUE TO A CRACK IN THE NUMBER SIX BEARING OUTER RACE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TURBINE FAILURE. UNCONTAINED PENETRATION OCURRED AT THE 2:30, 5:30, AND 6:30 POSITIONS.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time20:02 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 727-22
Tail NumberN40486
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorContinental Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7 · Turbofan · 14000
Seats126

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (125 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured125
Total125
Crew 1Age 43 · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data