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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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September 2, 1987 · Boeing 727-223 · N844AA

Tampa, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 2, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries), 36 uninjured
Location
Tampa, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-223
Tail Number
N844AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MIA87IA237

DURING DESCENT THE B727 CREW NOTED THE FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE #1 ENGINE. THEY DISCHARGED 2 FIRE BOTTLES INTO THE ENGINE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THEY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED AT THEIR DESTINATION. AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION WAS CONDUCTED, AND 4 PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE 13TH STAGE BLEED AIR DUCT LINE TO THE FUEL HEATER WAS LEAKING AT THE INPUT SIDE AND WAS IMPINGING ON A FIRE DETECTION LOOP ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE LEAK.

Full Narrative

DURING DESCENT THE B727 CREW NOTED THE FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE #1 ENGINE. THEY DISCHARGED 2 FIRE BOTTLES INTO THE ENGINE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THEY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED AT THEIR DESTINATION. AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION WAS CONDUCTED, AND 4 PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE 13TH STAGE BLEED AIR DUCT LINE TO THE FUEL HEATER WAS LEAKING AT THE INPUT SIDE AND WAS IMPINGING ON A FIRE DETECTION LOOP ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE LEAK.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:10 EDT
Nearest AirportTAMPA (0nm N)
Runway18R
Runway Length10998 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 727-223
Tail NumberN844AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9 · Turbojet · 19500
Seats197

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries), 36 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured36
Total40
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 16000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:09
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data