# NTSB CHI89IA143: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, N939ML, Chicago, IL, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Location: 41.8500° N, 87.6501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chicago, IL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8500&lon=-87.6501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 84 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89IA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89IA143

## Probable cause

POOR LOOKOUT BY THE CREW OF THE DC-9 AND THE CESSNA PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Near collision between aircraft, descent - normal
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - poor, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N939ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N939ML-1990-12-21), registration cancelled 1990-12-21, S/N 45710 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-32
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-32) (registry code 302206C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45710
- Engines: P&W JT8D 16000 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Midway Airlines     .
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 40 nm away

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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