# NTSB ATL86IA197: Boeing 727-25C, N126FE, Erlanger, KY, July 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1986, 04:14 local (09:14 UTC)
- Place: Erlanger, KY
- Location: 39.0395° N, 84.6000° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Erlanger, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0395&lon=-84.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86IA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86IA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Hazardous materials leak/spill, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,cabin - fumes (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fumes (cause)
  - material inadequate, company/operator management
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - switched off

## Analysis

AN INFLT FIRE STARTED IN A CARGO 'IGLOO' DURING HI-ALT CRUISE DUE TO SPILLAGE OF NITRIC ACID IN A CONTACT WITH A WOODEN PACKING CRATE. THE FIRE WENT OUT WHEN THE ACFT WAS DE-PRESSURIZED BUT SMOKE AND ACID FUMES WERE HAZARD TO THE COCKPIT CREW. AN EMER LNDG WAS EFFECTED AT CINCINNATI AFTER A MISSED APPROACH AT CHARLESTON WV. THE CREW COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMOKE GOGGLES AND EMERGENCY OXYGEN MASKS AS A DETRIMENT TO THE OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS. THESE ARE BEING IMPROVED TO A MORE PRATICAL & EFFICIENT MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N126FE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-25C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19718
- Airframe hours: 51933
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Federal Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 2, 1986, 173 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: BDL, WINDSOR LOCKS, CT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 65 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 19860716052469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860716052469I), Jul 16, 1986: Boeing 72725C, Huntington, WV. Unscheduled landing after smoke emitted from package containing hazardous materials.

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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