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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 27, 1989 · Boeing 737-322 · N344UA

Rapid City, SD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (40 uninjured)
Location
Rapid City, SD
Aircraft
Boeing 737-322
Tail Number
N344UA
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
DEN90IA016

WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH FLT LEVEL 280, THE FLT CREW DETECTED AN ODOR AND SOME SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT AND CABIN. THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT & HE LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL INSPECTED THE ACFT AND REPLACED SEVERAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TEMPERATURE SENSORS AND THE RECIRCULATING FAN ASSEMBLY. THESE ACTIONS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND THE ACFT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE INFLIGHT FAILURE OF THE RECIRCULATING FAN UNIT AND SEVERAL AIR DUCT TEMPERATURE LIMITING SENSORS.

Full Narrative

WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH FLT LEVEL 280, THE FLT CREW DETECTED AN ODOR AND SOME SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT AND CABIN. THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT & HE LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL INSPECTED THE ACFT AND REPLACED SEVERAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TEMPERATURE SENSORS AND THE RECIRCULATING FAN ASSEMBLY. THESE ACTIONS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND THE ACFT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-322
Tail NumberN344UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CFM56 · Turbofan · 20000
Seats149

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (40 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured40
Total40
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 28 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data