# NTSB CHI87IA201: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-8-71, N8078U, Chicago, IL, September 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 19:05 local (Sep 3, 1987, 00:05 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: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 126 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87IA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87IA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - starting engine(s)
  - air cond/heating/pressurization,safety valve - failure,total (cause)
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - overtemperature (cause)
  - fuselage,cabin - smoke (cause)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - evacuation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,slides - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, flight attendant (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SMOKE DETECTED IN THE CABIN RESULTED IN AN EVACUATION OF THE AIRCRAFT JUST AFTER BEING PUSHED BACK FROM THE JET-WAY. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION ESTABLISHED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING PACK VALVE HAD CAUSED THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT CAUSING THE SMOKE. THE EMERGENCY SLIDE AT DOOR 2R INFLATED PARTIALLY INSIDE THE ACFT AND WAS NOT USABLE. AT THE TIME OF INITIAL INVESTIGATION THE SLIDE TRAY DOOR FROM 2R WAS FOUND LYING ON THE FLOOR INSIDE THE ACFT. EXITS 1L, 2L, 4L, 4R AND FOUR OVER WING EXITS WERE USED (THE CAPT HAD LOWERED THE FLAPS TO FULL DOWN FOR THE EVACUATION). IT WAS DETERMINED DURING INVESTIGATION THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT OPENED FULLY ENOUGH FOR EXIT 2R TO OPERATE PROPERLY. UAL MODIFIED THE TRAINING TO EMPHASIZE THE DOOR OPENING PROCEDURE. THE FA SAID SHE PULLED THE (MANUAL INFLATION) HANDLE ON 2R.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8078U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-8-71
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45946
- Airframe hours: 56166
- Engines: CFM 56-2C1 20560 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: ORD
- Destination: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORD, O'Hare International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,591 total, 5,102 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °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).

- [Incident 19870902074899I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870902074899I), Sep 2, 1987: Doug DC871, Chicago, IL, Minor damage. Smoke in cabin at engine start due to failed air conditioning component. Evacuated cabin.

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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