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NTSB Report
January 9, 1988 · Boeing 747-251F · N618US
Minneapolis, MN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Aircraft
Boeing 747-251F
Tail Number
N618US
Operator
Northwest Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI88IA040
AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF AILERON CTL WHEN ICE FORMED AROUND AILERON CONTROL CABLES AND RESTRICTED THEIR MOVEMENT. WATER DRAINING THROUGH OPEN PLENUM DRAINS IN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL WELL FROZE WHEN EXPOSED TO BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES AT 35,000 FT. THE FLIGHT CREW WAS ABLE TO REGAIN LIMITED CONTROL BY USING VERY HEAVY CONTROL INPUTS. THE ACFT WAS LANDED UNEVENTFULLY AFTER DIVERTING TO THE NEAREST SUITABLE AIRPORT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE DRAINS WERE INADVERTENTLY LEFT OPEN.
Full Narrative
AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF AILERON CTL WHEN ICE FORMED AROUND AILERON CONTROL CABLES AND RESTRICTED THEIR MOVEMENT. WATER DRAINING THROUGH OPEN PLENUM DRAINS IN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL WELL FROZE WHEN EXPOSED TO BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES AT 35,000 FT. THE FLIGHT CREW WAS ABLE TO REGAIN LIMITED CONTROL BY USING VERY HEAVY CONTROL INPUTS. THE ACFT WAS LANDED UNEVENTFULLY AFTER DIVERTING TO THE NEAREST SUITABLE AIRPORT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE DRAINS WERE INADVERTENTLY LEFT OPEN.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time06:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 747-251F
Tail NumberN618US
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorNorthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT-9 · Turbofan · 19500
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT