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NTSB Report
June 11, 1983 · Boeing 727-222A · N7273U
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1983
Injury Outcomes
17 injuries (2 serious injuries, 15 minor injuries), 125 uninjured
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-222A
Tail Number
N7273U
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83FA251
DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE #1 ENG FAILED & THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AT APRX 70 KTS. THE AIRCREW TAXIED THE ACFT CLEAR OF THE RWY & STOPPED ON THE REVERSE HIGH SPEED TURNOFF. THE AIRCREW OF ANOTHER COMPANY ACFT TRANSMITTED THAT THE #1 ENG WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO FIRE WARNING LIGHT IN THE COCKPIT, BUT THE #1 ENG WAS SHUT DOWN & A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ENG. ANOTHER RADIO CALL WAS RECEIVED THAT THE ENG WAS STILL ON FIRE & A SECOND EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ENG. THE OTHER 2 ENGS WERE ALSO SHUT DOWN & ALL OCCUPANTS WERE EVACUATED USING THE EMERGENCY EXITS. TWO PASSENGERS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE 2ND STAGE TURBINE DISK HAD FRACTURED FROM FATIGUE WHICH INITIATED AT THE BASE OF CAVITIES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE AIR SEAL GROOVE. THE INSIDE & OUTSIDE SURFACESOF THE DISK AIR SEAL GROOVE SHOWED SIGNS OF FRETTING AS IF THE MATING AIR SEAL HAD BEEN MOVING FORE & AFT WITHIN THE GROOVE.
Full Narrative
DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE #1 ENG FAILED & THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AT APRX 70 KTS. THE AIRCREW TAXIED THE ACFT CLEAR OF THE RWY & STOPPED ON THE REVERSE HIGH SPEED TURNOFF. THE AIRCREW OF ANOTHER COMPANY ACFT TRANSMITTED THAT THE #1 ENG WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO FIRE WARNING LIGHT IN THE COCKPIT, BUT THE #1 ENG WAS SHUT DOWN & A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ENG. ANOTHER RADIO CALL WAS RECEIVED THAT THE ENG WAS STILL ON FIRE & A SECOND EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ENG. THE OTHER 2 ENGS WERE ALSO SHUT DOWN & ALL OCCUPANTS WERE EVACUATED USING THE EMERGENCY EXITS. TWO PASSENGERS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE 2ND STAGE TURBINE DISK HAD FRACTURED FROM FATIGUE WHICH INITIATED AT THE BASE OF CAVITIES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE AIR SEAL GROOVE. THE INSIDE & OUTSIDE SURFACESOF THE DISK AIR SEAL GROOVE SHOWED SIGNS OF FRETTING AS IF THE MATING AIR SEAL HAD BEEN MOVING FORE & AFT WITHIN THE GROOVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:33 CDT
Nearest AirportO'Hare (0nm N)
Runway22L
Runway Length8071 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-222A
Tail NumberN7273U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-15 · Turbofan · 15000
Seats147
People & Injuries
Injury Summary17 injuries (2 serious injuries, 15 minor injuries), 125 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor15
Uninjured125
Total142
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:28
Weather SourceWFAC