# NTSB CHI86IA121: Boeing 727-231, N64324, Detroit, MI, April 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1986, 17:07 local (22:07 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.220363, -83.3507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2204&lon=-83.3507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 102 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86IA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86IA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - to takeoff
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - remedial action - performed, flight engineer
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - premature, passenger (cause)
  - panic, other person (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance,insufficient staff, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - misjudged, flight attendant (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, flight attendant

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF A MALE PAX PANICKED AND SHOUTED 'OPEN THE DOOR!' DURING A SMOKE-IN-THE-CABIN OCCURRENCE (OVERHEATED A/C PACK). THE LEAD FA MISTOOK THIS 'INSTRUCTION' AS COMING FROM THE COCKPIT AND OPENED AN EXIT DOOR. PASSENGERS INTERPRETED HER ACTION AS CLEARANCE TO OPEN ANOTHER DOOR AND BEGAN TO EVACUATE. 21 PAX EVACUATED BEFORE THE CAPTAIN INTERVENED. TWO FLT ATTENDANTS WERE ON STRIKE AT THE TIME AND THE FLTS WERE BEING STAFFED BY SUPERVISORS AND NEW HIRES. THE LEAD FA ON THIS FLT WAS A SUPERVISOR WITH NO RECENT DAY-TO-DAY CABIN SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64324](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64324-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 20099, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-231
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-231](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-231) (registry code 1384079) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20099
- Engines: P&W JT-8D 15500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Aviation Sales Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DTW, Detorit Metro/Wayne Cnty

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,700 total, 135 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DTW, 1 nm away

## 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 19860417025169I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860417025169I), Apr 17, 1986: Boeing 727231, Detroit, MI. Smoke entered cabin due to clogged air pack filter. Passengers panicked and started evacuation.

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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