# NTSB CHI83FA251: Boeing 727-222A, N7273U, Chicago, IL, June 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1983, 17:33 local (22:33 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.950691, -87.70082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9507&lon=-87.7008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 15 minor, 125 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - chafed (cause)
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE #1 ENG FAILED & THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AT APRX 70 KTS. THE AIRCREW TAXIED THE ACFT CLEAR OF THE RWY & STOPPED ON THE REVERSE HIGH SPEED TURNOFF. THE AIRCREW OF ANOTHER COMPANY ACFT TRANSMITTED THAT THE #1 ENG WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO FIRE WARNING LIGHT IN THE COCKPIT, BUT THE #1 ENG WAS SHUT DOWN & A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ENG. ANOTHER RADIO CALL WAS RECEIVED THAT THE ENG WAS STILL ON FIRE & A SECOND EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ENG. THE OTHER 2 ENGS WERE ALSO SHUT DOWN & ALL OCCUPANTS WERE EVACUATED USING THE EMERGENCY EXITS. TWO PASSENGERS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE 2ND STAGE TURBINE DISK HAD FRACTURED FROM FATIGUE WHICH INITIATED AT THE BASE OF CAVITIES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE AIR SEAL GROOVE. THE INSIDE & OUTSIDE SURFACESOF THE DISK AIR SEAL GROOVE SHOWED SIGNS OF FRETTING AS IF THE MATING AIR SEAL HAD BEEN MOVING FORE & AFT WITHIN THE GROOVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7273U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7273U-2006-06-28), registration cancelled 2006-06-28, S/N 21420, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-222A
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-222) (registry code 1384073) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-9-series) (registry code 52048, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21420
- Airframe hours: 14777
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 15000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORD, O'Hare, runway 22L, 8,071 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 11,926 total, 11,307 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD

## 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 19830611027729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830611027729A), Jun 11, 1983: Boeing 727222, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. NR1 engine exploded caught fire on takeoff. Aborted. Evacuated. Fire bottles put out fire. Turbine disk fractured.

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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