# NTSB CHI84IA093: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-8-61, N8081U, Chicago, IL, January 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1984, 20:20 local (Jan 24, 1984, 02:20 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: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 47 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84IA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84IA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff

## Analysis

AS THE CAPT APPLIED POWER & RELEASED BRAKES TO BEGIN THE TAKEOFF, THE ACFT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. THE CAPT STATED THAT HE CLOSED THE THROTTLES & PUT THE #1 & #2 THROTTLES IN REVERSE. THE ACFT THEN BEGAN TO VEER LEFT &  SPUN AROUND NEARLY 1-1/2 TIMES. THE 1ST OFFICER STATED THAT AS THE ACFT INITIALLY DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, HE NOTED THAT THE #4 ENG WAS NOT SPOOLING UP & HE SO INFORMED THE CAPT. THE RWY CENTERLINE HAD BEEN DEICED & WAS REPORTED WET WITH SCATTERED AREAS OF SNOW; BRAKING ACTION HAD BEEN REPORTED AS GOOD. THE CAPT SAID THAT LIGHT RAIN OR MIST WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE #3 ENG COWLING WAS GASHED DURING THE INCIDENT & A LANDING LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8081U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-8-61
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45971
- Engines: GE CF56 turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: YYZ, TORONTO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORD, O'Hare Iap, runway 9L, 7,416 × 150 ft, asphalt

## 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, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 75 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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).

- [Incident 19840123013069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840123013069I), Jan 23, 1984: Doug DC861, Chicago, IL, Minor damage. On takeoff roll aircraft skidded to left. Made a 450 degree turn aborting the takeoff. NR4 engine did not spool up.

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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