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NTSB Report
November 15, 1987 · Douglas DC-9-31 · N8988E
Cleveland, OH
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (64 uninjured)
Location
Cleveland, OH
Aircraft
Douglas DC-9-31
Tail Number
N8988E
Operator
Eastern Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL88IA037
WHILE DESCENDING INTO CLEVELAND FROM 25,000 FEET THE PILOT, EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT LURCH IN THE AIRFRAME. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. AN AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER THRUST REVERSER DRIVE LINK WAS BROKEN. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE DRIVE LINK DISCLOSED A FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Full Narrative
WHILE DESCENDING INTO CLEVELAND FROM 25,000 FEET THE PILOT, EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT LURCH IN THE AIRFRAME. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. AN AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER THRUST REVERSER DRIVE LINK WAS BROKEN. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE DRIVE LINK DISCLOSED A FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time11:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDouglas DC-9-31
Tail NumberN8988E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorEastern Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7B · Turbofan · 18500
Seats99
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (64 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured64
Total64
Crew 1Age 51 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO