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NTSB Report
September 22, 1988 · Boeing 727-200 · N710AA
Dfw Airport, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 22, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries), 84 uninjured
Location
Dfw Airport, TX
Aircraft
Boeing 727-200
Tail Number
N710AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW88IA165
ACFT RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE WHEN THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY GEAR UP LANDING FOLLOWING THE FAILURE OF THE MLG TO EXTEND USING NORMAL, ABNORMAL, AND MANUAL PROCEDURES. ACFT WAS LANDED WITH THE NLG EXTENDED AND THE MAINS RETRACTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MLG DOOR ACTUATOR PIVOT TRUNNION UPPER SHAFT HAD FAILED AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE FRACTURE. FOLLOWING THE FRACTURE, THE SEPARATED SHAFT HAD BECOME JAMMED BETWEEN THE TRUNNION AND THE ACTUATOR CLEVIS WHICH PREVENTED THE MANUAL DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM FROM RELEASING. A REVIEW OF THE SERVICE DIFFICULTY HISTORY OF THE FAILED PART INDICATED THAT SEVERAL SIMILAR FAILURES HAD OCCURRED ON MANUFACTURED PARTS AND THAT A REDESIGNED PART WAS AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE OPERATOR HAD COMPLIED WITH ALL OF THE REQUIRED INSP'S.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR PIVOT TRUNNION SHAFT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME LODGED IN THE ACTUATOR CLEVIS PREVENTING THE DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM FROM ACTUATING DURING GEAR EXTENSION.
Full Narrative
ACFT RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE WHEN THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY GEAR UP LANDING FOLLOWING THE FAILURE OF THE MLG TO EXTEND USING NORMAL, ABNORMAL, AND MANUAL PROCEDURES. ACFT WAS LANDED WITH THE NLG EXTENDED AND THE MAINS RETRACTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MLG DOOR ACTUATOR PIVOT TRUNNION UPPER SHAFT HAD FAILED AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE FRACTURE. FOLLOWING THE FRACTURE, THE SEPARATED SHAFT HAD BECOME JAMMED BETWEEN THE TRUNNION AND THE ACTUATOR CLEVIS WHICH PREVENTED THE MANUAL DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM FROM RELEASING. A REVIEW OF THE SERVICE DIFFICULTY HISTORY OF THE FAILED PART INDICATED THAT SEVERAL SIMILAR FAILURES HAD OCCURRED ON MANUFACTURED PARTS AND THAT A REDESIGNED PART WAS AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE OPERATOR HAD COMPLIED WITH ALL OF THE REQUIRED INSP'S.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:42 CDT
Nearest AirportDfw Reg. (0nm N)
Runway18L
Runway Length11388 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-200
Tail NumberN710AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-15 · Turbofan · 15500
Seats157
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries), 84 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured84
Total88
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:51
Weather SourceWFAC