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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 8, 1985 · Douglas DC-8-71 · N1300L

West Palm Bch, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (107 uninjured)
Location
West Palm Bch, FL
Aircraft
Douglas DC-8-71
Tail Number
N1300L
Operator
Delta Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MIA85IA246

DURING TAKE OFF ROLL THE #4 ENGINE FAILED CAUSING CATOSTROPHIC DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. DURING SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION THE LEFT VGV ACTUATOR PIN WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING. WITHOUT THIS PIN THE VGV ARM8 ARE AYSEMETRICALLY DRIVEN. THE VGV ARMS WERE FOUND BROKEN IN HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE DRIVEN. THE VGV ARMS WERE FOUND BROKEN IN HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE FATIGUE. THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSER BLADES WERE FAILED IN LOW STRESS HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKE OFF ROLL THE #4 ENGINE FAILED CAUSING CATOSTROPHIC DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. DURING SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION THE LEFT VGV ACTUATOR PIN WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING. WITHOUT THIS PIN THE VGV ARM8 ARE AYSEMETRICALLY DRIVEN. THE VGV ARMS WERE FOUND BROKEN IN HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE DRIVEN. THE VGV ARMS WERE FOUND BROKEN IN HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE FATIGUE. THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSER BLADES WERE FAILED IN LOW STRESS HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time11:20 EDT
Nearest AirportWest Palm Beach (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length6930 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-8-71
Tail NumberN1300L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorDelta Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CFM56-2-CI · Turbofan · 24000
Seats152

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (107 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured107
Total107
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data