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NTSB Report
August 20, 1988 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC9-51 · N689HA
Honolulu, HI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (144 uninjured)
Location
Honolulu, HI
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC9-51
Tail Number
N689HA
Operator
Hawaiian Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX88IA295
THE HAWAIIAN DC9 WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RWY 8L. ALL PASSENGER AIRCRAFT DEPARTING RWY 8R FROM THE PASSENGER TERMINAL MUST CROSS THE APPROACH END OF RWY 8L. A HEAVY BOEING 747 CROSSED THE APPROACH END OF RWY 8L ENROUTE TO 8R ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND 10 SECONDS PRIOR TO THE TOUCHDOWN OF THE DC9. THE DC9 CREW SAID THE APPROACH WAS STABILIZED AT VREF PLUS 10 WITH A 600 FPM DESCENT RATE. AT 50 FEET AGL OVER THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. THE AIRSPEED SUDDENLY DECREASED TO VREF AND A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED. THE PILOT FLYING WAS ABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE WITH POWER AND A PITCH ATTITUDE INCREASE. THE PITCH ATTITUDE WAS BEYOND THE 10.4 DEGREE PITCH ATTITUDE REQUIRED TO STRIKE THE TAIL SKID. THE TAIL SKID BROKE OFF AND DAMAGED SOME INTERNAL MEMBERS IN THE TAIL AREA.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE AIRCRAFTS ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENGINE EXHAUST FLOW AND RELATED TURBULENCE FROM A HEAVY BOEING 747, WHICH CROSSED THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND TEN SECONDS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE HAWAIIAN DC9 WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RWY 8L. ALL PASSENGER AIRCRAFT DEPARTING RWY 8R FROM THE PASSENGER TERMINAL MUST CROSS THE APPROACH END OF RWY 8L. A HEAVY BOEING 747 CROSSED THE APPROACH END OF RWY 8L ENROUTE TO 8R ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND 10 SECONDS PRIOR TO THE TOUCHDOWN OF THE DC9. THE DC9 CREW SAID THE APPROACH WAS STABILIZED AT VREF PLUS 10 WITH A 600 FPM DESCENT RATE. AT 50 FEET AGL OVER THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. THE AIRSPEED SUDDENLY DECREASED TO VREF AND A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED. THE PILOT FLYING WAS ABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE WITH POWER AND A PITCH ATTITUDE INCREASE. THE PITCH ATTITUDE WAS BEYOND THE 10.4 DEGREE PITCH ATTITUDE REQUIRED TO STRIKE THE TAIL SKID. THE TAIL SKID BROKE OFF AND DAMAGED SOME INTERNAL MEMBERS IN THE TAIL AREA.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time06:26 HST
Nearest AirportHonolulu Int'L (0nm N)
Runway8L
Runway Length12360 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC9-51
Tail NumberN689HA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorHawaiian Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT-8D-17 · Turbojet · 16000
Seats146
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (144 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured144
Total144
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 13 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC