# NTSB ATL90FA146: Boeing 737-222, N210US, Kinston, NC, July 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1990, 14:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Kinston, NC
- Location: 35.3314° N, 77.6088° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KINSTON RGNL JETPORT AT STALLINGS FLD (ISO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3314&lon=-77.6088&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 25 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA146

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL SHAFT BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MACHINING BY THE REPAIR FACILITY DURING MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION OF THE PUMP AND IMPROPER PROCEDURES DURING OVERHAUL OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - aborted
  - 1 engine
  - fuel system,pump - disconnected (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - powerplant - overspeed
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - fatigue
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

AS ENGINE POWER WAS INCREASED FOR TAKEOFF, THE NO. 1 ENGINE ACCELERATED BEYOND TARGET EPR. ENGINE SHUT DOWN HAD TO BE DONE WITH THE FUEL SHUT OFF LEVER. THE ASYMMETRIC THRUST WAS CONTROLLED WITH NOSE WHEEL STEERING. BEFORE THE AIRPLANE COULD BE STOPPED THE NOSE WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE LANDING GEAR. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PUMP OUTPUT SPLINE TO THE FUEL CONTROL HAD STRIPPED. IT OCCURRED AT SUCH A TIME THAT THE FUEL CONTROL SENSED AN UNDERSPEED & INCREASED FUEL FLOW. MISALIGNMENT OF THE SPLINE SHAFT RESULTED FROM IMPROPER MACHINING DURING PUMP MODIFICATION. THE NOSE GEAR INNER CYLINDER FAILED IN FATIGUE IN AN AREA OF EXCESSIVE GRINDING DURING OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N210US-1990-11-07), registration cancelled 1990-11-07, S/N 19555 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-222
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-222) (registry code 1384473) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19555
- Airframe hours: 51264
- Engines: P&W JT8-D-9 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Usair
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 19, 1990, 238 hours before
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ISO, Kinston Regional Jetport, runway 23, 7,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,100 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 127 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISO

## 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 19900722031479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900722031479A), Jul 22, 1990: Boeing 737222, Kinston, NC, Substantial damage. Left engine went to idle on takeoff roll. Aborted. Nose gear failed from stress and fatigue. Left fuel pump failed.

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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