# NTSB ATL85MA083: Lockheed 188C, N854U, Dobbins Afb, GA, January 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1985, 09:36 local (14:36 UTC)
- Place: Dobbins Afb, GA
- Location: 33.9144° N, 84.5142° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DOBBINS ARB (MGE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9144&lon=-84.5142&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85MA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85MA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,landing gear - assembly
  - door,landing gear - clearance (cause)
  - door,landing gear - exceeded (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - jammed (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - movement restricted (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not possible
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING GEAR RETRACTION AFTER TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BECAME JAMMED IN A PARTIALLY RETRACTED PSN & THE RESPECTIVE IN-TRANSIT GEAR LIGHT WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH. ATTEMPTS TO RECYCLE THE GEAR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FLT CREW DIVERTED TO ATLANTA, GA; THEN DECIDED TO LAND AT DOBBINS AFB, WHERE THERE WAS A LONG, WIDE RWY THAT COULD BE FOAMED. FOAM WAS APPLIED TO APRX 300 FT OF RWY 29. THE ACFT WAS LANDED WITH THE NOSE & LEFT MAIN GEAR EXTENDED & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR PARTIALLY RETRACTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT & STOPPED WITH THE NOSE GEAR APRX 70 FT OFF THE RWY. FIRE ERUPTED IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR; HOWEVER, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPT PERSONNEL. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CLEARANCE BTN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR HOOK, PN 803845-1, & THE STRUT ROLLER WAS EXCESSIVE.THE REASON FOR THE IMPROPER CLEARANCE WAS NOT DETERMINED. LOCKHEED SERVICE BULLETIN 88/SB-558 WARNED THAT EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE COMBINED WITH A DROP IN HYDRAULIC PRESSURE, GUST OR MANEUVER COULD RESULT IN THE GEAR JAMMING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N854U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED 188C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2009
- Airframe hours: 47765
- Engines: ALLISON 501-D13A 3138 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Galaxy Air Lines,Inc.
- Registered owner: Transamerica Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 8, 1985, 75 hours before
- Departed: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MGE, Dobbins Afb, runway 29, 10,000 × 300 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,900 total, 303 in this make and model, 6,610 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19850129059529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850129059529A), Jan 29, 1985: Lkheed 188C, Dobbins, GA, Substantial damage. Landed with right main gear partially extended. Gear door roller was worn. Flight manual not in order or adhered to

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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