# NTSB CHI90IA044: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31, N8969E, Chicago, IL, December 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1989, 22:09 local (Dec 14, 1989, 04:09 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.77959, -87.770362 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7796&lon=-87.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 36 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90IA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90IA044

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (cause)
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

A SNOW STORM & SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS WERE IN PROGRESS. CREW REPORTED BRAKING ACTION FAIR-TO-GOOD FIRST 2/3 OF RWY BUT DETERIORATING TO NIL APPROACHING DEPARTURE END. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF RWY ALL BRAKING WAS LOST & AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF DEPARTURE END COLLIDING WITH BLAST FENCE AND LOCALIZER ANTENNA. THE LAST 1/3 OF THE RWY HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SANDED ABOUT 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8969E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-31
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W JT8-9 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Midway Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: DFW, FT. WORTH, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MDW, Midway, runway 4R, 6,102 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW

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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