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NTSB Report

August 27, 1988 · Boeing 727-31 · N852TW

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status

Probable Cause

Event Type

Accident

Date

August 27, 1988

Injury Outcomes

7 injuries (7 minor injuries), 61 uninjured

Location

Chicago, IL

Aircraft

Boeing 727-31

Tail Number

N852TW

Operator

Trans World Airlines

Injuries

Minor

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

CHI88FA223

SCHEDULED DOMESTIC PART 121 FLIGHT COULD NOT GET LANDING GEAR TO EXTEND ON APPROACH TO CHICAGO MIDWAY AIRPORT. AFTER MISSED APPROACH, CREW TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO EXTEND GEAR MANUALLY USING PROCEDURES IN COCKPIT CHECKLIST AND FLIGHT OPERATIONS MANUAL. EMERGENCY GEAR-UP LANDING WAS MADE AT CHICAGO O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A DISCONNECTED GEAR SELECTOR ACTUATING ROD FROM THE NORMAL LANDING GEAR RETRACT/EXTENSION ACTUATING ASSEMBLY. CREW DAMAGED MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION MECHANISM IN MANUAL EXTENSION ATTEMPTS. FAA APPROVED PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST HAD OMITTED CRITICAL STEP IN MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST IN WHICH A CRITICAL STEP WAS NOT LISTED.

Full Narrative

SCHEDULED DOMESTIC PART 121 FLIGHT COULD NOT GET LANDING GEAR TO EXTEND ON APPROACH TO CHICAGO MIDWAY AIRPORT. AFTER MISSED APPROACH, CREW TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO EXTEND GEAR MANUALLY USING PROCEDURES IN COCKPIT CHECKLIST AND FLIGHT OPERATIONS MANUAL. EMERGENCY GEAR-UP LANDING WAS MADE AT CHICAGO O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A DISCONNECTED GEAR SELECTOR ACTUATING ROD FROM THE NORMAL LANDING GEAR RETRACT/EXTENSION ACTUATING ASSEMBLY. CREW DAMAGED MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION MECHANISM IN MANUAL EXTENSION ATTEMPTS. FAA APPROVED PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST HAD OMITTED CRITICAL STEP IN MANUAL GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time16:50 CDT

Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare (0nm N)

Runway14L

Runway Length10003 ft

Runway Width150 ft

Flight Plan FiledIFR

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 727-31

Tail NumberN852TW

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageSubstantial

OperatorTrans World Airlines

Operating RulePart 121

Engines3

Engine TypeTurbofan

Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7B · Turbofan · 14000

Seats124

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (7 minor injuries), 61 uninjured

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor7

Uninjured61

Total68

Crew 1Age 51 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind210° @ 9 kt

Visibility5 sm

CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft

Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 61 F

Altimeter29.00 inHg

Observation Time21:42

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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August 27, 1988 · Boeing 727-31 · N852TW

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