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NTSB Report
March 23, 1989 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9 · N447AA
Houston, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (98 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9
Tail Number
N447AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW89IA070
THE AIRPLANE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 12R, BUT A TAKEOFF WAS MADE ON RUNWAY 17. THE SOUTH 2,200 FEET OF RUNWAY 17 WAS CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. THIS WAS NOTED BY NOTAMS AND ATIS AND THE CREWMEMBERS WERE AWARE OF IT. AS THE AIRPLANE ROTATED, THE LOWER PARTS OF IT IMPACTED SECTIONS OF WOODED BARRIERS THAT HAD BEEN PLACED ACROSS RUNWAY 17. THE CREW WAS IMFORMED OF POSSIBLE DAMAGE AND PROCEEDED TO DESTINATION WHERE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT WAS WAITING AT LANDING. AIRPLANE DAMAGE WAS MINOR. SEVENTY THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ANOTHER AIR CARRIER AIRPLANE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 12R AND ALSO INADVERTENTLY DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 17.
NTSB Probable Cause
CREW'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW TAXI INSTRUCTIONS AND TO INSURE THAT THEY WERE ON THE PROPER RUNWAY PRIOR TO INITIATION OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 12R, BUT A TAKEOFF WAS MADE ON RUNWAY 17. THE SOUTH 2,200 FEET OF RUNWAY 17 WAS CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. THIS WAS NOTED BY NOTAMS AND ATIS AND THE CREWMEMBERS WERE AWARE OF IT. AS THE AIRPLANE ROTATED, THE LOWER PARTS OF IT IMPACTED SECTIONS OF WOODED BARRIERS THAT HAD BEEN PLACED ACROSS RUNWAY 17. THE CREW WAS IMFORMED OF POSSIBLE DAMAGE AND PROCEEDED TO DESTINATION WHERE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT WAS WAITING AT LANDING. AIRPLANE DAMAGE WAS MINOR. SEVENTY THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ANOTHER AIR CARRIER AIRPLANE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 12R AND ALSO INADVERTENTLY DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 17.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time07:48 CST
Nearest AirportWilliam P. Hobby (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-9
Tail NumberN447AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D · Turbofan · 14000
Seats172
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (98 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured98
Total98
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 5 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:15
Weather SourceWFAC