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May 31, 1984 · Boeing 727-222 · N7640U

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (105 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Boeing 727-222
Tail Number
N7640U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA84AA025

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE CREW OF N7647U (UA FLT 663) NOTED CUMULUS CLOUDS & VIRGA IN THE AREA. AT 1327, A DEHAVILLAND DASH 7 CREW RPRTD A 25 KT LOSS OF AIRSPEED, BUT SVRL OTHER ACFT THEN TOOK OFF WITHOUT RPRTG A PROBLEM. DUE TO RADIO CONJESTION,THE CAPTAIN DID NOT QUERY OTHER AIRCREWS, BUT DECIDED TO CLIMB OUT AT V2 PLUS 20. WHEN THE CONTROLLER CLEARED FLT 663 FOR TAKEOFF, HE ADVISED THE CREW OF NUMEROUS WIND SHEARS IN 3 QUADRANTS, BUT USED INCORRECT TERMINOLOGY IN ISSUING THE WIND SHEAR ALERT. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT STRUCK AN ILS LOCALIZER ANTENNA, 1074 FT FROM THE DEPT END OF THE RWY, & DAMAGED THE LOWER FUSELAGE. WHEN UNABLE TO PRESSURIZE THE ACFT, THE CREW RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED. AN INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR FROM MICROBURST ACTIVITY WHICH REACHED ITS GREATEST ACTIVITY AS FLT 663 WAS TAKING OFF. THE WIND SHEARED FROM AN 8 KT HEADWIND TO 40 TO 56 KTS OVER A 44 SEC PERIOD. THE CREW NOTED A HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING THRU 120 KTS, THEN AT OR BEYOND VR SPEED OF APRX 141 KTS, THE ACFT MOMENTARILY LOST 20 KTS.

Full Narrative

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE CREW OF N7647U (UA FLT 663) NOTED CUMULUS CLOUDS & VIRGA IN THE AREA. AT 1327, A DEHAVILLAND DASH 7 CREW RPRTD A 25 KT LOSS OF AIRSPEED, BUT SVRL OTHER ACFT THEN TOOK OFF WITHOUT RPRTG A PROBLEM. DUE TO RADIO CONJESTION,THE CAPTAIN DID NOT QUERY OTHER AIRCREWS, BUT DECIDED TO CLIMB OUT AT V2 PLUS 20. WHEN THE CONTROLLER CLEARED FLT 663 FOR TAKEOFF, HE ADVISED THE CREW OF NUMEROUS WIND SHEARS IN 3 QUADRANTS, BUT USED INCORRECT TERMINOLOGY IN ISSUING THE WIND SHEAR ALERT. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT STRUCK AN ILS LOCALIZER ANTENNA, 1074 FT FROM THE DEPT END OF THE RWY, & DAMAGED THE LOWER FUSELAGE. WHEN UNABLE TO PRESSURIZE THE ACFT, THE CREW RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED. AN INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR FROM MICROBURST ACTIVITY WHICH REACHED ITS GREATEST ACTIVITY AS FLT 663 WAS TAKING OFF. THE WIND SHEARED FROM AN 8 KT HEADWIND TO 40 TO 56 KTS OVER A 44 SEC PERIOD. THE CREW NOTED A HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING THRU 120 KTS, THEN AT OR BEYOND VR SPEED OF APRX 141 KTS, THE ACFT MOMENTARILY LOST 20 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:34 MDT
Nearest AirportStapleton (0nm N)
Runway35L
Runway Length11500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 727-222
Tail NumberN7640U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7B · Turbofan · 14000
Seats144

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (105 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured105
Total105
Crew 1Age 46 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 32 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data