# NTSB ATL86LA090: Boeing 727-223, N877AA, Memphis, TN, March 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1986, 07:17 local (13:17 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Location: 35.0424° N, 89.9767° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FREDERICK W SMITH INTL/MEMPHIS (MEM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0424&lon=-89.9767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 68 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, climb
  - fire warning system,powerplant - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,slides - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 502 EXPERIENCED A FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON NO. 1 ENGINE AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 6000 FEET. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS. FOLLOWING THE LANDING THE PILOT ORDERED A PASSENGER EMERGENCY EVACUATION. DURING THE EVACUATION THE REAR SLIDE DEFLATED AFTER THE SLIDE MATERIAL WAS PUNCTURED. THE EXAMINATION OF THE MATERIAL DISCLOSED THAT THE PUNCTURE WAS THE RESULT OF A SHOE HEEL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT A DUCT CONNECTOR IN THE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE INJURY RECEIVED BY THE INJURED PASSENGER RESULTED FROM JUMPING OFF THE LEFT WING SURFACE DURING THE EVACUATION PHASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N877AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N877AA-2002-11-05), registration cancelled 2002-11-05, S/N 21389, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-223
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-223](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-223) (registry code 1384074) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-9-series) (registry code 52048, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21389
- Airframe hours: 22453
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MEM, Memphis, runway 17R, 9,300 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,670 total, 5,450 in this make and model, 117 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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).

- [Accident 19860312009099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860312009099A), Mar 12, 1986: Boeing 727223, Memphis, TN. Engine fire warning. Made emergency return. Passengers injured on evacuation. Defective slide. Hot air duct parted.

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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