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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 21, 1984 · Douglas DC-9-51 · N401EA

Tampa, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 21, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (33 uninjured)
Location
Tampa, FL
Aircraft
Douglas DC-9-51
Tail Number
N401EA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MIA84IA064

WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF THRU ABOUT 3000 FT, THE CREW NOTED THAT THE #2 EPR HAD DROPPED ABOUT .08, FROM APRX 1.82 TO 1.74 EPR. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE 1ST OFFICER NOTED THAT THE AVM ON THE #2 ENG WAS AT THE MAX INDICATION. AT ABOUT 4000 FT, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE ACFT AS THE RIGHT ENG LOST POWER. THE CREW SECURED THE RIGHT ENG, RETURNED TO TAMPA & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT TURBINE BLADES HAD EXITED THE SIDE OF THE ENG TAILPIPE. TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR CENTER TUBE SEALING RING HAD AN APRX 1 IN (CIRCUMFERENTIAL) PIECE OF HARD SURFACE PLATING MISSING FROM THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER SEALING SURFACE. THIS FAILURE WAS IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH A GAP IN THE REAR PISTON RING. NEITHER RING COMFORMED TO DESIGN SPECS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT HOT AIR CAUSED COKING OF THE OIL. THE TURBINE SHAFT HAD FAILED APRX 13 INCHES FORWARD OF THE 4-1/2 BEARING. THE 4-1/2 BEARING SEALS WERE DAMAGED, 7 DISPLAYED COKE DEPOSITS. THE LOW PRESS TURBINE MOVED AFT INTERMESHING BLADES & STATORS.

Full Narrative

WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF THRU ABOUT 3000 FT, THE CREW NOTED THAT THE #2 EPR HAD DROPPED ABOUT .08, FROM APRX 1.82 TO 1.74 EPR. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE 1ST OFFICER NOTED THAT THE AVM ON THE #2 ENG WAS AT THE MAX INDICATION. AT ABOUT 4000 FT, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE ACFT AS THE RIGHT ENG LOST POWER. THE CREW SECURED THE RIGHT ENG, RETURNED TO TAMPA & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT TURBINE BLADES HAD EXITED THE SIDE OF THE ENG TAILPIPE. TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR CENTER TUBE SEALING RING HAD AN APRX 1 IN (CIRCUMFERENTIAL) PIECE OF HARD SURFACE PLATING MISSING FROM THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER SEALING SURFACE. THIS FAILURE WAS IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH A GAP IN THE REAR PISTON RING. NEITHER RING COMFORMED TO DESIGN SPECS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT HOT AIR CAUSED COKING OF THE OIL. THE TURBINE SHAFT HAD FAILED APRX 13 INCHES FORWARD OF THE 4-1/2 BEARING. THE 4-1/2 BEARING SEALS WERE DAMAGED, 7 DISPLAYED COKE DEPOSITS. THE LOW PRESS TURBINE MOVED AFT INTERMESHING BLADES & STATORS.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time10:05 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-9-51
Tail NumberN401EA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-17 · Turbofan · 16000
Seats127

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (33 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured33
Total33
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data