Boeing 717-200 N924ME
21 December 2005 · Boston, Massachusetts, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 21 December 2005 at about 00:41 local time, a Boeing 717-200 registered N924ME, operated by Midwest Airlines Inc., was involved in an incident near Boston, Massachusetts, United States. 91 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 00:41
- Classification
- Incident
- Location
- Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Nearest airport
- Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Coordinates
- 42.3642, -71.0050
- Aircraft
- Boeing 717-200
- Registration
- N924ME
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Midwest Airlines Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 121: Air Carrier
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Boston → Milwaukee
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night
- NTSB number
- NYC06IA044
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 |
Probable cause
Water dilution of the grease, which resulted in the failure of the number 4 wheel bearing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
During takeoff, air traffic controllers observed sparks coming from the rear of the Boeing 717-200, and shortly thereafter, the pilot reported a problem with the right main landing gear and gear door, with the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane circled for about an hour and a half to burn fuel, and the captain subsequently performed an uneventful landing. Examination of the airplane revealed that the number 4 wheel bearing failed, and the wheel race welded to the axle. As the wheel continued to rotate, the remaining races and bearings fragmented and separated from the wheel. Examination of the remaining three wheel hubs revealed the presence of water. A similar incident occurred approximately 10 months prior involving another Boeing 717-200; however, due to the catastrophic damage to the tire and bearings, it could not be determined whether or not water was present. As a result of the second incident, the manufacturer incorporated a hubcap gasket to prevent moisture from becoming trapped in the wheels.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Boeing 717 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2005 | Boeing 717-200 | Union Star, Missouri, United States | Midwest Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 18 Mar 2005 | Boeing 717-200 | Launceston, Australia | - | Unknown | - |
| 16 May 2005 | Boeing 717-200 | Hobart Tasmania, Australia | Jetstar Airways | Unknown | - |
| 28 Feb 2006 | Boeing 717-200 | Paraburdoo, Australia | National Jet | No injuries | - |
| 8 Nov 2006 | Boeing 717-200 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Midwest Airlines, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 11 Nov 2006 | Boeing 717-200 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2005 | Cessna 402C | Hyannis, Massachusetts, United States | Island Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 16 Apr 2005 | Brennan FLIGHTSTAR | Middleboro, Massachusetts, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Nov 2005 | Robinson R44 | Bourne, Massachusetts, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Oct 2005 | Beechcraft M35 | Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 2005 | Airbus A330-301 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jan 2005 | Beechcraft G35 | Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States | - | No injuries | - |