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NTSB Report
September 21, 1989 · Boeing 737-400 · N416US
Flushing, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
23 injuries (2 fatalities, 3 serious injuries, 18 minor injuries), 40 uninjured
Location
Flushing, NY
Aircraft
Boeing 737-400
Tail Number
N416US
Operator
Usair
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA89MA074
AS THE FIRST OFFICER BEGAN THE TAKEOFF HE FELT THE AIRPLANE DRIFT RIGHT. THE CAPT NOTICED THE DRIFT ALSO & USED NOSEWHEEL TILLER TO HELP STEER. THE CREW THEN HEARD A 'BANG' AND A CONTINUAL RUMBLING NOISE. THE CAPT THEN TOOK OVER & REJECTED THE TAKEOFF BUT DID NOT STOP THE AIRPLANE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDING WITH A WOODEN APPROACH LIGHTING PIER. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN WATER. THE RUDDER TRIM POSITION WAS FOUND TO BE 16 DEG, OR FULL, LEFT DEFLECTION OF RUDDER. THE DFDR RECORDED THIS POSITION FROM ENGINE START AT THE GATE. (NTSB/AAR-90/03)
NTSB Probable Cause
THE CAPTAIN'S FAILURE TO EXERCISE HIS COMMAND AUTHORITY IN A TIMELY MANNER TO REJECT THE TAKEOFF OR TAKE SUFFICIENT CONTROL TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF, WHICH WAS INITIATED WITH A MISTRIMMED RUDDER. ALSO CAUSAL WAS THE CAPTAIN'S FAILURE TO DETECT THE MISTRIMMED RUDDER BEFORE THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED.
Full Narrative
AS THE FIRST OFFICER BEGAN THE TAKEOFF HE FELT THE AIRPLANE DRIFT RIGHT. THE CAPT NOTICED THE DRIFT ALSO & USED NOSEWHEEL TILLER TO HELP STEER. THE CREW THEN HEARD A 'BANG' AND A CONTINUAL RUMBLING NOISE. THE CAPT THEN TOOK OVER & REJECTED THE TAKEOFF BUT DID NOT STOP THE AIRPLANE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDING WITH A WOODEN APPROACH LIGHTING PIER. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN WATER. THE RUDDER TRIM POSITION WAS FOUND TO BE 16 DEG, OR FULL, LEFT DEFLECTION OF RUDDER. THE DFDR RECORDED THIS POSITION FROM ENGINE START AT THE GATE. (NTSB/AAR-90/03)
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:21 EDT
Nearest AirportLa Guardia (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 737-400
Tail NumberN416US
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorUsair
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm · CFM-56-3B2 · Turbofan
People & Injuries
Injury Summary23 injuries (2 fatalities, 3 serious injuries, 18 minor injuries), 40 uninjured
Fatal2
Serious3
Minor18
Uninjured40
Total63
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:34
Weather SourceWFAC