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NTSB Report
September 7, 1983 · Boeing 727-200 · N1984
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 7, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (116 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-200
Tail Number
N1984
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI83IA418
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LEFT WALKING BEAM FAILURE WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED DURING APPROACH, THE ACFT LOG WAS NOTED 'DURING GEAR EXTENSION AT 230 KTS TREMENDOUS BANG OCCURRED WHICH DROPPED PANELS AT ROWS 15-7 02 MASKS AT ROW 18. THREE GREEN NORMAL GEAR INDICATION. ON TAXI IN---NO ABNORMALITIES NOTED.' THE FAILED WALKING BEAM WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THREE IS AN AD FOR THIS PART CALLING FOR ULTRASONIC INSPECTION EVERY 1500 HOURS. DURING AN INSPECTION A MECHANIC MISTOOKTHE BEAM FOR A STEEL ONE AND THE INSPECTION WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AT THE PROPER TIME. AAL HAS TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION AND AT LAST COUNT ALL ALUMINUM BEAMS HAD BEEN REPLACED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LEFT WALKING BEAM FAILURE WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED DURING APPROACH, THE ACFT LOG WAS NOTED 'DURING GEAR EXTENSION AT 230 KTS TREMENDOUS BANG OCCURRED WHICH DROPPED PANELS AT ROWS 15-7 02 MASKS AT ROW 18. THREE GREEN NORMAL GEAR INDICATION. ON TAXI IN---NO ABNORMALITIES NOTED.' THE FAILED WALKING BEAM WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THREE IS AN AD FOR THIS PART CALLING FOR ULTRASONIC INSPECTION EVERY 1500 HOURS. DURING AN INSPECTION A MECHANIC MISTOOKTHE BEAM FOR A STEEL ONE AND THE INSPECTION WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AT THE PROPER TIME. AAL HAS TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION AND AT LAST COUNT ALL ALUMINUM BEAMS HAD BEEN REPLACED.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest AirportO'Hare (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-200
Tail NumberN1984
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-17A · Turbojet · 16000
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (116 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured116
Total116
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:52
Weather SourceWFAC