# NTSB CHI83IA418: Boeing 727-200, N1984, Chicago, IL, September 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1983, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Location: 41.9769° N, 87.9081° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHICAGO O'HARE INTL (ORD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9769&lon=-87.9081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 116 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83IA418
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83IA418

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LEFT WALKING BEAM FAILURE WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED DURING APPROACH, THE ACFT LOG WAS NOTED 'DURING GEAR EXTENSION AT 230 KTS TREMENDOUS BANG OCCURRED WHICH DROPPED PANELS AT ROWS 15-7 02 MASKS AT ROW 18. THREE GREEN NORMAL GEAR INDICATION. ON TAXI IN---NO ABNORMALITIES NOTED.' THE FAILED WALKING BEAM WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THREE IS AN AD FOR THIS PART CALLING FOR ULTRASONIC INSPECTION EVERY 1500 HOURS. DURING AN INSPECTION A MECHANIC MISTOOKTHE BEAM FOR A STEEL ONE AND THE INSPECTION WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AT THE PROPER TIME. AAL HAS TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION AND AT LAST COUNT ALL ALUMINUM BEAMS HAD BEEN REPLACED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1984](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1984-2017-06-19), registration cancelled 2017-06-19, S/N 18440, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-200
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-23) (registry code 1384004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: N1984
- Airframe hours: 50205
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17A 16000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: ORD, O'Hare

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD

## Other investigations on N1984 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI85IA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85IA212), May 28, 1985: Boeing 727-023 (N1984), Chicago, IL, incident, minor damage

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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