# NTSB ATL89IA080: Boeing 757-225, N509EA, Atlanta, GA, January 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1989, 20:15 local (Jan 20, 1989, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.7490° N, 84.3880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlanta, GA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-84.3880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 111 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89IA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89IA080

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF OPERATOR MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO ACCOMPLISH AN APPLICABLE SERVICE BULLETIN.

## Analysis

DURING EN ROUTE CLIMB, INBOARD FIXED WING PANEL OVER WHEEL WELL SEPARATED FROM ACFT. BOEING SERVICE BULLETIN HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH REGARDING CRACKED FASTENERS WHICH ATTACHED THE WING PANEL TO ACFT. SERVICE DIFFICULTY RPRTS REVEALED SAME CARRIER HAD EXPEREINCED PREVIOUS SIMILAR LOSS OF THE PANEL. ACFT INVOLVED HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - wing,skin - separation
  - maintenance,modification - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N509EA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N509EA), registered now, S/N 23090, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 757-225
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-470-11](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-470-11) (registry code 17364, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22199
- Engines: GE CF6-80C 40550 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Eastern Air Lines
- Registered owner: Eastern Air Lines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890119006059I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890119006059I), Jan 19, 1989: Boeing 757225, Atlanta, GA, Minor damage. Shudder during climb. Returned. Found left wing trailing edge panel had departed plane. Three support clips had broke

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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