# NTSB CHI87IA067: Boeing 727-122, N7015U, Fort Wayne, IN, January 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1987, 14:39 local (19:39 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Coordinates: 41.000045, -85.209533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0000&lon=-85.2095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87IA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87IA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,skin - fatigue (cause)
- Decompression, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT EXTERIOR SKIN FAILED IN FATIGUE WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT LOST CABIN PRESSURE AND THE PASSENGER OXYGEN MASKS AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOYED. THE FLIGHT CREW DONNED OXYGEN MASKS, DECLARED AN EMERGENCY TO ATC AND DESCENDED TO 10,000 FT. THE AIRCRAFT DIVERTED TO A SUITABLE AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7015U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7015U-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 18307, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-122
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-22) (registry code 1384002) (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: 18307
- Airframe hours: 54622
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,047 total, 5,841 in this make and model, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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