# NTSB DCA72A0010: Douglas DC9-31, N8961E, Ft Lauderdale, FL, May 18, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 18, 1972
- Place: Ft Lauderdale, FL · FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Location: 26.1223° N, 80.1434° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Lauderdale, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1223&lon=-80.1434&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA72A0010
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA72A0010

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0002  72/5/18    FT LAUDERDALE,FLA   DOUGLAS DC9-31      CR-  0  2  2  SCHED DOM PASSG SRV       AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1421                    N8961E              PX-  0  1  5                            49, 16500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            960 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FT LAUDRDLL-HWOOD
        OPERATOR - EASTERN AIR LINES,INC.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          MIAMI,FLA                   CLEVELAND,OHIO               FT LAUDERDALE,FLA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISREGARD OF GOOD OPERATING PRACTICE
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - PARTIAL BRIEFING BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE/RADIO, LIMITED BY PILOT ACTION
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  700
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                          THUNDERSTORM, RAIN SHOWERS
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          130                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           IFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FLT DID NOT RPRT THE OM INBOUND AS REQUESTED BY THE TWR CTLR AND DID NOT RECEIVE A LDG CLNC.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8961E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8961E-1972-07-15), registration cancelled 1972-07-15, S/N 45870 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC9-31
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Ft Laudrdll-Hwood

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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