McDonnell Douglas MD-80 N244AA

Summary

On 12 September 1989 at about 22:46 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 registered N244AA, operated by American Airlines, was involved in an accident near Chicago, Illinois, United States. 110 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 September 1989 at 22:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Chicago O'hare Intl (ORD)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD-80

Registration

N244AA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

American Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rochester → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI89FA183

2 people had minor injuries.

A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PRESSURE DUE TO THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO REPLACE A SYSTEM COMPONENT THAT HAD A KNOWN HISTORY OF FAILURES, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE POWERPLANT CONTROLS RESULTING IN A DEGRADATION OF RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT SHUTOFF VALVE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING DESCENT A COMPLETE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH A MANHOLE COVER COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT SHUTOFF VALVE, P/N 240695, FAILED; ONE OF THE DUAL VALVE BODY HALVES SEPARATED AT THE MOUNTING PLATE. THE VALVE HAD A KNOWN HISTORY OF FAILURES, AND A KIT VERSION OF A 'FIX' TO THE VALVE HAD BEEN AVAILABLE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FLIGHT MANUAL CAUTIONS THAT FOR LANDING WITH NO HYDRAULIC POWER, INCREASING AMOUNTS OF REVERSE THRUST SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS, AND IN THE EVENT OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS TO REDUCE REVERSE THRUST AS REQUIRED AND SELECT FORWARD IDLE IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OR REGAIN CONTROL. DFDR READOUT SHOW THE APPLICATION OF THRUST GREATER THAN IDLE REVERSE DURING THE THE LANDING ROLLOUT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.