# NTSB CHI92LA132: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-8F-55, N29549, Ypsilanti, MI, April 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1992, 18:16 local (22:16 UTC)
- Place: Ypsilanti, MI
- Coordinates: 42.240119, -83.620277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2401&lon=-83.6203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA132

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGING OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS INCLUDE (AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE) HYDROPLANING CONDITION, AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LANDED LONG ON A WET RUNWAY AND BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE.  BRAKES AND THRUST REVERSERS WERE INEFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE AIRPLANE ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY.  WHEN THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AIRPLANE ONTO A RAMP AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT.  THE NOSE GEAR BEGAN TO SINK INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN AND WHEN IT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAXIWAY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29549 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-8F-55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45803
- Airframe hours: 61888
- Engines: P&W JT3D-3B turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: American Intl Airways
- Registered owner: Palau Intl. Traders, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 23, 1992, 1 hours before
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: YIP, Willow Run, runway 23, 7,294 × 160 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 31,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YIP, 1 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).

- [Accident 19920423042209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920423042209A), Apr 23, 1992: Doug DC8F55, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. Landed halfway point on 7500 feet runway. Unable stop due hydroplaning. Veered off end. Impacted taxiway lip.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.