# NTSB ATL86IA054: Boeing 727-232, N403DA, Memphis, TN, January 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1986, 09:19 local (15:19 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.029655, -90.009651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0297&lon=-90.0097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 38 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86IA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86IA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - stress corrosion (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,slides - no pressure

## Analysis

THE AIRCREW RPRTD THAT WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AFTER TAKEOFF, THE L MAIN GEAR INDICATED UNSAFE & THERE WAS AN UNSAFE DOOR INDICATION. THEY RECYCLED THE GEAR, BUT OBSERVED THE SAME INDICATIONS. THE GEAR HANDLE WAS THEN PUT IN THE NEUTRAL PSN & THE L MAIN GEAR EXTENDED TO A DOWN & LOCKED PSN. THE CAPT DECIDED TO RETURN TO MEMPHIS & MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AFTER THE GEAR EXTENSION CYCLE, ALL GEAR INDICATED DOWN & SAFE. ALSO, TWR PSNL CONFIRMED THE GEARAPPEARED TO BE DOWN. HOWEVER, AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE L WING BEGAN SETTLING, BUT THE AIRCREW KEPT THE ACFT ON THE RWY. AN EMERG EVACUATION WAS INITIATED, BUT THE SLIDE AT THE L FWD DOOR DID NOT INFLATE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE L GEAR OUTER CYLINDER, PN 65-57901-19, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. A STRESS CORROSION CRACK HAD INITIATED ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OFTHE STRUT CYLINDER WHERE A STRAP HAD OBSCURED THE CORROSION. THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF A HARD LANDING. NO PRESSURE WAS FND IN THE INFLATION BOTTLE FOR THE L FWD DOOR SLIDE. NO REASON WAS FND FOR A LOSS OF PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N403DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N403DA-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 21147, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-232
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-232) (registry code 1384082) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21147
- Airframe hours: 31573
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15A 15500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines,Inc.
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co, Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 8, 1986, 6 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: LGA, NEW YORK, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MEM, Memphis Intl, runway 27, 8,926 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM

## 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 19860109009359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860109009359I), Jan 9, 1986: Boeing 727232, Memphis, TN, Minor damage. Left gear collapsed on return to airport. Shock strut outer cylinder failed. Forward slide did not inflate.

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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