# NTSB ATL84FA173: Boeing 727, N723RW, Covington, KY, May 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1984, 17:23 local (21:23 UTC)
- Place: Covington, KY
- Coordinates: 39.07965, -84.500411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0797&lon=-84.5004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 12 minor, 125 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA173

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fire warning system,powerplant - shorted (contributing factor)
  - fire warning system,powerplant - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fire extinguishing equipment - selected, pilot in command
  - performed, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,slides - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency equipment - improper use of (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LEVELING AT FL330, THE #2 ENG FIRE WARNING LIGHT & BELL ACTIVATED. THE CREW FOLLOWED THE PUBLISHED PROCEDURES, SHUT DOWN THE ENG & USED A FIRE BOTTLE. THEY THEN DIVERTED TO CINCINNATI & MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AFTER LANDING, FIRE DEPT PERSONNEL MONITORED THE ACFT & RADIOED INFO TO GROUND CONTROL. IN TURN, GROUND CONTROL RELAYED INFO TO THE CREW WHILE TAXIING. FIRE TRUCK PERSONNEL REPORTED SEEING A 'SMALL AMOUNT' OF SMOKE FROM THE #1 ENG. GROUND CONTROL RELAYED THE INFO WITHOUT THE WORDS 'SMALL AMOUNT.' SUBEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS STOPPED & WAS EVACUATED USING THE ESCAPE SLIDES. 1 PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN A SLIDE BURST. THERE WAS EVIDENCE IT WAS PUNCTURED BY A SHOE NAIL AFTER THE SHOE'S HEEL CAME OFF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS A FALSE FIRE WARNING INDICATION DUE TO A SHORTED FIRE DETECTOR. THE FLT ATTENDANTS (F/A) WERE NOT PROPERLY BRIEFED. 1 F/A UNHOOKED A GIRT BAR BEFORE OPENING EXIT 4R, RENDERING IT UNUSABLE. SOME PASSENGERS TRIED TO EXIT WITH CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. THE REAR STAIR EXIT WAS NOT USED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N723RW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21202
- Airframe hours: 12756
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17R turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Republic Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: DTW, DETROIT, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CVG, Greater Cincinnati Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,730 total, 350 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19840517023879I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840517023879I), May 17, 1984: Boeing 7272M7, Cincinnati, OH. Fire warning light came on. Fire bottles discharged. Aircraft evacuation via slides on taxiway.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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