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NTSB Report
September 12, 1989 · Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80 · N244AA
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 108 uninjured
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80
Tail Number
N244AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89FA183
DURING DESCENT A COMPLETE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH A MANHOLE COVER COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT SHUTOFF VALVE, P/N 240695, FAILED; ONE OF THE DUAL VALVE BODY HALVES SEPARATED AT THE MOUNTING PLATE. THE VALVE HAD A KNOWN HISTORY OF FAILURES, AND A KIT VERSION OF A 'FIX' TO THE VALVE HAD BEEN AVAILABLE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FLIGHT MANUAL CAUTIONS THAT FOR LANDING WITH NO HYDRAULIC POWER, INCREASING AMOUNTS OF REVERSE THRUST SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS, AND IN THE EVENT OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS TO REDUCE REVERSE THRUST AS REQUIRED AND SELECT FORWARD IDLE IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OR REGAIN CONTROL. DFDR READOUT SHOW THE APPLICATION OF THRUST GREATER THAN IDLE REVERSE DURING THE THE LANDING ROLLOUT.
NTSB Probable Cause
A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PRESSURE DUE TO THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO REPLACE A SYSTEM COMPONENT THAT HAD A KNOWN HISTORY OF FAILURES, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE POWERPLANT CONTROLS RESULTING IN A DEGRADATION OF RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT SHUTOFF VALVE.
Full Narrative
DURING DESCENT A COMPLETE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH A MANHOLE COVER COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT SHUTOFF VALVE, P/N 240695, FAILED; ONE OF THE DUAL VALVE BODY HALVES SEPARATED AT THE MOUNTING PLATE. THE VALVE HAD A KNOWN HISTORY OF FAILURES, AND A KIT VERSION OF A 'FIX' TO THE VALVE HAD BEEN AVAILABLE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FLIGHT MANUAL CAUTIONS THAT FOR LANDING WITH NO HYDRAULIC POWER, INCREASING AMOUNTS OF REVERSE THRUST SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS, AND IN THE EVENT OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS TO REDUCE REVERSE THRUST AS REQUIRED AND SELECT FORWARD IDLE IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OR REGAIN CONTROL. DFDR READOUT SHOW THE APPLICATION OF THRUST GREATER THAN IDLE REVERSE DURING THE THE LANDING ROLLOUT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:46 CDT
Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare Intl (0nm N)
Runway9R
Runway Length10141 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas MD-80
Tail NumberN244AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-217A & C · Turbofan
Seats148
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 108 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured108
Total110
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind10° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC