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NTSB Report
August 31, 1989 · Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80 · N490AA
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 31, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80
Tail Number
N490AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI89IA180
GLA268 (BEECH E33, N7135N) WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RWY 27L FROM THE BRANCH INTERSECTION BY A FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL (FPL) CONTROLLER. AA9168 (MD-80, N490AA), WHICH HAD BEEN CLEARED TO RWY 27L BY A DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROLLER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE FPL CONTROLLER, TWICE ACKNOWLEDGED THE TAKEOFF CLEARANCE FOR GLA268. GLA268 WAS AGAIN GIVEN TAKEOFF CLEARANCE BY THE FPL CONTROLLER. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AA9168 INITIATED ITS TAKEOFF ROLL FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AA9168 SAW GLA268 AHEAD OF IT AND QUERIED THE DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROLLER. AT THIS POINT THE FPL CONTROLLER TOOK OVER AND INSTRUCTED AA9168 TO ABORT ITS TAKEOFF. THE PILOT OF GLA268 REPORTED HE WAS ABOUT 50 FT AGL WHEN HE HEARD AA9168 ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROLLER TO CLARIFY THE CONFUSING COMMUNICATIONS, TO CORRECT THE PILOT'S MISINTERPRETATION OF THE INSTRUCTIONS BEING GIVEN, AND THE FAILURE OF THE SUPERVISOR TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE SITUATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S MISINTERPRETATION OF THE CLEARANCE, THE CONTROLLERS EXPECTANCY AND AURAL PERCEPTION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS.
Full Narrative
GLA268 (BEECH E33, N7135N) WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ON RWY 27L FROM THE BRANCH INTERSECTION BY A FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL (FPL) CONTROLLER. AA9168 (MD-80, N490AA), WHICH HAD BEEN CLEARED TO RWY 27L BY A DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROLLER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE FPL CONTROLLER, TWICE ACKNOWLEDGED THE TAKEOFF CLEARANCE FOR GLA268. GLA268 WAS AGAIN GIVEN TAKEOFF CLEARANCE BY THE FPL CONTROLLER. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AA9168 INITIATED ITS TAKEOFF ROLL FROM THE END OF THE RWY. AA9168 SAW GLA268 AHEAD OF IT AND QUERIED THE DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROLLER. AT THIS POINT THE FPL CONTROLLER TOOK OVER AND INSTRUCTED AA9168 TO ABORT ITS TAKEOFF. THE PILOT OF GLA268 REPORTED HE WAS ABOUT 50 FT AGL WHEN HE HEARD AA9168 ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time00:53 CDT
Nearest AirportO'Hare Intl (0nm N)
Runway27L
Runway Length10141 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas MD-80
Tail NumberN490AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNKNOWN · Turbojet | Continental · IO-550-B1 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind130° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter0
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC