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NTSB Report
April 7, 1987 · Boeing 727-222 · N7258U
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (109 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-222
Tail Number
N7258U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI87IA109
A UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 727 DOMESTIC PASSENGER FLIGHT WAS HOLDING SHORT OF RUNWAY 32L AT THE CHICAGO-O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AWAITING CLEARANCE FOR AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF. A NORTHWEST AIRLINES BOEING 747 INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER FLIGHT WAS HOLDING IN POSITION AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. THE CONTROL TOWER CLEARED THE NORTHWEST FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AND THE CREW COMMENCED THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE UNITED FLIGHT THOUGHT THEY HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF AND TAXIED ONTO THE RUNWAY AND COMMENCE THEIR GROUND ROLL. THE TOWER CONTROLLER NOTED THE INCURSION AND INSTRUCTED THE NORTHWEST FLIGHT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE UNITED FLIGHT ALSO ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND BOTH AIRCRAFT TAXIED OFF THE RUNWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
Full Narrative
A UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 727 DOMESTIC PASSENGER FLIGHT WAS HOLDING SHORT OF RUNWAY 32L AT THE CHICAGO-O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AWAITING CLEARANCE FOR AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF. A NORTHWEST AIRLINES BOEING 747 INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER FLIGHT WAS HOLDING IN POSITION AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. THE CONTROL TOWER CLEARED THE NORTHWEST FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AND THE CREW COMMENCED THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE UNITED FLIGHT THOUGHT THEY HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF AND TAXIED ONTO THE RUNWAY AND COMMENCE THEIR GROUND ROLL. THE TOWER CONTROLLER NOTED THE INCURSION AND INSTRUCTED THE NORTHWEST FLIGHT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE UNITED FLIGHT ALSO ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND BOTH AIRCRAFT TAXIED OFF THE RUNWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:08 CDT
Nearest AirportChigago O'Hare Int'L (0nm N)
Runway32L
Runway Length13000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-222
Tail NumberN7258U
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-15 · Turbofan · 14500
Seats180
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (109 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured109
Total109
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC