Boeing 727-224 N88704
20 September 1991 · Detroit, Michigan, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 20 September 1991 at about 22:40 local time, a Boeing 727-224 registered N88704, operated by Continental Airlines, was involved in an incident near Detroit, Michigan, United States. 136 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:40
- Classification
- Incident
- Location
- Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Detroit Metro Wayne Co. (DTW)
- Coordinates
- 42.2194, -83.3507
- Aircraft
- Boeing 727-224
- Registration
- N88704
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 3
- Operator
- Continental Airlines
- Operating rule
- Part 121: Air Carrier
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Denver
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI91IA297
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 |
Probable cause
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT IS INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE LANDING GEAR ACTUATOR BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE INCIDENT AIRPLANE LANDED WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR PARTIALLY EXTENDED. THE LANDING GEAR HAD FAILED TO RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED IN THE AREA OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHILE THE CREW, IN CONCERT WITH COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER, UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT AND RESTORE THE LANDING GEAR TO WORKING ORDER. THEY LANDED BACK AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WITH CRASH FIRE RESCUE EQUIPMENT STANDING BY. FIRE TRUCKS APPLIED FOAM TO THE LEFT WING AND WHEEL AREA AFTER THE AIRPLANE STOPPED ON THE RUNWAY. AFTER LANDING THE CREW AND PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRPLANE USING THE AIRCRAFT AIRSTAIRS. INSPECTION OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR (MLG) REVEALED THE LANDING GEAR TRUCKS HAD BEEN CAPTURED AND SUSPENDED IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BY THE LEFT MAIN GEAR INBOARD DOOR ASSEMBLY. EXAMINATION OF THE MLG DOOR ACTUATOR FITTING SHOWED THE ACTUATOR HAD MOVED TO THE FAR END OF THE AVAILABLE ADJUSTMENT RANGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Boeing 727 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 May 1991 | Boeing 727-223 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | American Airlines, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 May 1991 | Boeing 727-100QC | Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States | Ryan International Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 1991 | Boeing 727-214 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Usair | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1991 | Boeing 727-254 | Buffalo, New York, United States | Trump Shuttle, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1991 | Boeing 727-251 | St. Paul, Minnesota, United States | Northwest Airlines, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Apr 1991 | Boeing 727-223 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | American Airlines, Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1991 | Cessna 172 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | Eximous Flying Club, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 1991 | Robinson R22 BETA | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | Lutz, Robert A | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 May 1991 | Cessna 182L | Port Huron, Michigan, United States | Douglas H. Mowat | No injuries | - |
| 11 May 1991 | Cessna 152 | Pontiac, Michigan, United States | Kitze Avaition, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 22 May 1991 | Cessna 177 | New Lothrop, Michigan, United States | Patrick J. Corcoran | No injuries | - |
| 10 Oct 1991 | Cessna 421B | Battle Creek, Michigan, United States | Aviation Specialist, Inc. | No injuries | - |