# NTSB CHI92IA260: Douglas DC-8-61, N845AX, Morton Grove, IL, August 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1992, 00:17 local (05:17 UTC)
- Place: Morton Grove, IL
- Coordinates: 42.039043, -87.779541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0390&lon=-87.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92IA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92IA260

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - fatigue (cause)
  - door,landing gear - separation

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR SEPARARTED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE DOOR ACTUATOR COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE, PASSING THROUGH THE ROOF AND LODGING IN THE CEILING. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO CHICAGO, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED TOTAL HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND FLUID LOSS, BUT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. BOTH THE OPERATING GLAND HOUSING AND SHAFT, AND THE ACTUATOR ROD END OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DOOR HAD FRACTURED. METALLUGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE GLAND SHAFT FRACTURE REVEALED BEACH MARKINGS AND OTHER SURFACE FEATURES THAT IN THE MOST PART WERE TYPICAL OF UNIDIRECTIONAL BENDING FATIGUE PROGRESSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N845AX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N845AX-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 46157, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-8-61
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-8-61](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-8-61) (registry code 302195B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46157
- Airframe hours: 42285
- Engines: P&W JT39-3B 18000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Airborne Express Inc.
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co. Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 27, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: ILN, WILMINGTON, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORD, O'Hare International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,500 total, 2,216 in this make and model, 139 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 5 nm away

## 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 19920828037119I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920828037119I), Aug 28, 1992: Doug DC861, Chicago, IL, Minor damage. Unsafe gear on retraction. Lost hydraulic fluid. Returned. On extension gear door and actuator broke 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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