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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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January 13, 1982 · Lockheed L-1011 · N31031

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 13, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (149 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1011
Tail Number
N31031
Operator
Trans World Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI82IA026

THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED BOSTON ON A SCHEDULED FLIGHT WITH THE #1 GENERATOR PLACARDED INOPERATIVE AND NOTED IN THE MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST. EN ROUTE TO LOS ANGELES, CA AT FL 350, ABOUT 80 MI NORTHEAST OF BAY CITY, MN., THE CREW NOTED A SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF #2 AND #3 GENERATORS AND ALL AC POWER. AFTER EXECUTING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND RESTORING POWERVIA THE APU, THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO CHICAGO, IL AND MADE A NORMAL LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER THREE GENERATOR HAD AN OPEN FIELD LINING AND THE NUMBER TWO GENERATOR CONTROL UNIT HAD A DEFECTIVE "A" PHASE. THE #1 GENERATORHAD EXPERIENCE A SPRAGUE CLUTCH FAILURE.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED BOSTON ON A SCHEDULED FLIGHT WITH THE #1 GENERATOR PLACARDED INOPERATIVE AND NOTED IN THE MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST. EN ROUTE TO LOS ANGELES, CA AT FL 350, ABOUT 80 MI NORTHEAST OF BAY CITY, MN., THE CREW NOTED A SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF #2 AND #3 GENERATORS AND ALL AC POWER. AFTER EXECUTING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND RESTORING POWERVIA THE APU, THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO CHICAGO, IL AND MADE A NORMAL LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER THREE GENERATOR HAD AN OPEN FIELD LINING AND THE NUMBER TWO GENERATOR CONTROL UNIT HAD A DEFECTIVE "A" PHASE. THE #1 GENERATORHAD EXPERIENCE A SPRAGUE CLUTCH FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time18:30 CST
Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare Inter'L (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length11600 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed L-1011
Tail NumberN31031
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorTrans World Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · RB-211 · Turbofan · 42000
Seats274

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (149 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured149
Total149
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
Ceiling1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:30

Appendix: Source Data