# NTSB ATL90IA124: Douglas DC-9-31, N8982E, Atlanta, GA, May 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1990, 08:10 local (12:10 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: 67 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90IA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90IA124

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE AC CROSS TIE RELAY, WHICH PREVENTED THE GENERATORS FROM BEING RECONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF THE LEFT GENERATOR IN FLIGHT. FACTORS INCLUDE INADVERTENTLY DISCONNECTING THE LEFT GENERATOR WHILE TROUBLESHOOTING THE RIGHT GENERATOR LOSS.

## 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
  - electrical system,electric relay - failure,total (cause)
  - generator - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FLIGHT CREW HEARD A LOUD 'CLUNK', FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT GENERATOR FALLING OFF LINE. AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTING TO RESET THE RIGHT GENERATOR, THE LEFT GENERATOR FELL OFF LINE. AN ATTEMPT TO RESET THE LEFT GENERATOR WAS ALSO UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CREW SELECTED EMERGENCY POWER AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT FOR AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AFTER THE INCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE AC CROSS TIE RELAY HAD FAILED IN THE 'CLOSED' POSITION. THIS PREVENTED EITHER GENERATOR FROM BEING PUT BACK ON LINE. BOTH GENERATORS AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS WERE EXAMINED AND NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS OBSERVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8982E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8982E-1992-03-05), registration cancelled 1992-03-05, S/N 47331 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-9-31
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47331
- Engines: P&W JT8D turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Eastern Air Lines, Inc.
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, William B. Hartsfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

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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