# NTSB ATL87FA240: Lockheed L-1011-385-1, N720DA, Atlanta, GA, August 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1987, 15:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.6367° N, 84.4279° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HARTSFIELD/JACKSON ATLANTA INTL (ATL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6367&lon=-84.4279&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 147 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA240

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other cardiovascular), pilot in command
  - flare - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - excessive, check pilot (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, check pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN MANUALLY FOR AN ILS APCH TO RWY 8L AT ATLANTA. THE APCH WAS ALLOWED TO BECOME UNSTABLE AT ABOUT THE MIDDLE MARKER AND THE VERTICAL SPEED WAS INCREASED TO ABOUT 1290 FEET PER MINUTE ABOUT FIVE SECONDS BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. THE IOE CAPT IN THE LEFT SEAT WAS TOLD BY THE COMPANY CK AMN THAT HE NEEDED TO GET HIS NOSE UP. AS THE IOE CAPT INITIATED FLARE, THE CK AMN ALSO APPLIED NOSE UP CONTROL INPUTS. THE ACFT MADE THREE TOUCHDOWNS AND THE AFT FUSELAGE CONTACTED THE RWY RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE IOE CAPT HAD COMPLETED HIS FIRST CLASS PHYSICAL EXAM FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND UNDERWENT BYPASS SURGERY 17 DAYS SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, HE INDICATED THAT 3-4 YEARS EARLIER HE HAD EXPERIENCED CHEST PAINS AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH WHICH HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A HIATAL HERNIA. THE SAME SYMPTOMS HAD REAPPEARED ABOUT ONE WEEK PRIOR TO HIS BEGINNING L-1011 GROUND SCHOOL. THE ACCD FLT WAS BEING CONDUCTED ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE CAPT,S IOE IN THE L-1011.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N720DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N720DA-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 193C-1136, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-1011-385-1 (L-1011-385)
- Registry model: [Lockheed L-1011-385-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-l-1011-385-1) (registry code 5265010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce RB-211 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-rb-211-series) (registry code 54555, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 193C1136
- Airframe hours: 35281
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB-211-22 41000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Airlines,Inc.
- Registered owner: Delta Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 10, 1987, 145 hours before
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Atl. Hartsfield Intl. Apt, runway 8L, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,211 total, 13 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19870825052189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870825052189A), Aug 25, 1987: Lkheed 10113851, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Unstabilized approach and late leveloff caused aircrafts tail to hit runway on touchdown.

## Other investigations on N720DA (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA78DA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DA096), Jun 11, 1978: Lockheed L-1011 (N720DA), Atlanta, GA, no damage

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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