# NTSB CHI91LA087: Boeing 727-200, N815AA, Indianapolis, IN, January 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1991, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.729854, -86.289009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7299&lon=-86.2890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 92 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE PROPER PROCEDURES AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AMERICAN FLIGHT 323 (AA323) TAXIED TO THE HOLD SHORT LINE FOR RUNWAY 23R. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT A STATIC/PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM PROBLEM THE CREW PERFORMED A POWER RUN-UP.  THE JET BLAST CONTACTED AND MOVED A NORTHWEST DC9 (NW878) WHICH WAS PARKED AT GATE A7, BEHIND AND PERPENDICULAR TO AA323.  THE MOVEMENT OF THE AIRPLANE RESULTED IN AN EXTERNAL HEATER HOSE DISCONNECTING FROM THE AIRPLANE.  A 15 LB METAL COUPLING ON THE END OF THE HOSE STRUCK A MECHANIC WHEN IT DISCONNECTED.  THE MECHANIC WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH INTERNAL INJURIES.  THE CREW OF AA323 REPORTED BEING UNAWARE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF NW878.  AA323 DID NOT REQUEST OR OBTAIN A CLEARANCE TO PERFORM THE RUN-UP IN THE UNAUTHORIZED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N815AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-200
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W JT-8-D turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000
- Destination: DFW, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,885 total, 1,885 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots

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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