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NTSB Report
October 9, 1987 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · N413AA
Ontario, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (79 uninjured)
Location
Ontario, CA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82
Tail Number
N413AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
LAX88IA009
WHILE CLIMBING THRU 6,500 FEET MSL IN AN ARSA, THE FLT CREW OF THE AAL DC-9-82 OBSERVED A SMALL AIRCRAFT APPROACHING THEIR AIRCRAFT FROM DEAD AHEAD. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS AT THE SAME ALTITUDE AND APROX 1/4 MILE AHEAD OF THEIR POSITION. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ATC AND CONTINUED ITS COLLISION COURSE TOWARDS THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. THE DC-9-82 CREW INITIATED A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN AWAY FROM THE SMALL AIRCRAFT. THE CREW ESTIMATED THAT THE SMALL AIRCRAFT PASSED 50 FEET BELOW AND TO THE LEFT OF THEIR AIRCRAFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT TO VISUALLY IDENTIFY THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. FACTURES CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE GENERAL AVIAITON AIRCRAFT TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC PRIOR TO ENTERING THE ARSA AND MAINTAINING A POOR LOOKOUT.
Full Narrative
WHILE CLIMBING THRU 6,500 FEET MSL IN AN ARSA, THE FLT CREW OF THE AAL DC-9-82 OBSERVED A SMALL AIRCRAFT APPROACHING THEIR AIRCRAFT FROM DEAD AHEAD. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS AT THE SAME ALTITUDE AND APROX 1/4 MILE AHEAD OF THEIR POSITION. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ATC AND CONTINUED ITS COLLISION COURSE TOWARDS THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. THE DC-9-82 CREW INITIATED A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN AWAY FROM THE SMALL AIRCRAFT. THE CREW ESTIMATED THAT THE SMALL AIRCRAFT PASSED 50 FEET BELOW AND TO THE LEFT OF THEIR AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:05 PDT
Nearest AirportONTARIO (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length12200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82
Tail NumberN413AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · J8D · Turbofan · 20550
Seats172
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (79 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured79
Total79
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 1300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC