# NTSB ATL90FA135: Boeing 727-281, N743US, Charleston, SC, June 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1990, 22:12 local (Jun 22, 1990, 02:12 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Location: 32.8986° N, 80.0405° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHARLESTON AFB/INTL (CHS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8986&lon=-80.0405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor, 116 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA135

## Probable cause

IMPROPER UTILIZATION OF THE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - fire warning system,powerplant - false indication
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - fire warning system,powerplant - shorted (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - emergency equipment - improper use of, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PASSING 10,000 FEET MSL ON THE DESCENT FOR A NIGHT LANDING, THE NUMBER TWO ENGINE FIRE WARNING LIGHT AND BELL ACTIVATED. FOLLOWING ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ALL CHECKLIST PROCEDURES, THE FIRE WARNING INDICATIONS REMAINED ON. THE CAPTAIN ORDERED AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION ON THE RUNWAY AFTER THE AIRPLANE LANDED. DURING THE EVACUATION, ONE PASSENGER WAS KNOCKED OFF OF THE WING BY AN OVERZEALOUS PASSENGER AND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ANOTHER PASSENGER WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT. WHILE THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT WAS SEEKING HELP, THE PASSENGER PUT ONE CHILD ON THE SLIDE WITHOUT WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE, AND THE CHILD RESISTED. THE CHILD FELL FROM THE SLIDE AND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. POST-FLIGHT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A FAULTY FIRE DETECTION ELEMENT ON THE NUMBER TWO ENGINE, AND NO EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT FIRE WAS OBSERVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N743US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N743US-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 20285, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-281
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-281](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-281) (registry code 138408N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20285
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A 14500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Usair
- Registered owner: Usair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CHS, Charleston International, runway 21, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,950 total, 3,210 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS

## 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 19900621029219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900621029219A), Jun 21, 1990: Boeing 727281, Charleston, SC. Fire warning center engine. Unscheduled landing. No passenger brief and 4 injured evacuating. No fire. Loop defect

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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