# NTSB DCA84AA005: Douglas DC-8-63F, N797FT, Norfolk, VA, October 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1983, 09:09 local (13:09 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.909107, -76.330307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9091&lon=-76.3303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA84AA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15797/pdf
- Board report AAR8408 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8408.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA84AA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition - water (contributing factor)
  - directional control - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL AT NAS NORFOLK, THE AIRCREW WERE VECTORED FOR A GCA APCH TO RWY 10. THEY WERE ADVISED THAT THE WX WAS 200 FT SCATTERED, 600 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 MI WITH RAIN, WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 20 KTS. ALSO, THEY WERE GIVEN A PIREP OF 'HEAVY WINDSHEAR' ON FINAL APCH. THE CAPTAIN REPORTED THAT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITHIN THE 1ST 3000 FT OF THE RWY, DEPLOYED THE SPOILERS & APPLIED REVERSE THRUST & MAX BRAKING. HOWEVER, HE NEVER HAD EFFECTIVE BRAKING. THE ACFT DRIFTED RIGHT & WENT OFF THE RWY, BUT THE CAPTAIN GUIDED IT BACK ONTO THE RWY. IT THEN CONTINUED OFF THE END, CROSSED A ROAD, WENT THRU A FENCE & CAME TO REST IN A SWAMP. AIRFIELD PERSONNEL SAID THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY RAIN & THERE WAS WATER STANDING ON THE RWY. REPORTEDLY THE RWY WAS CROWNED FOR DRAINAGE, BUT IN SOME WIND CONDITONS, THE WATER WOULD REMAIN ON THE RWY SURFACE. THE FINAL CONTROLLER WAS NOT AWARE OF WATER STANDING ON THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N797FT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-8-63F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46140
- Engines: P&W JT3D-7 turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Tigers, Inc
- Registered owner: Ona Leasing Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: JKR, NEW YORK, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NGU, Nas Norfolk, runway 10, 8,368 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,804 total, 6,346 in this make and model, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 18 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NGU

## 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 19831025075839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831025075839A), Oct 25, 1983: Doug DC863, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. Too fast and hydoplaned. Misused thrust. Not advised of standing water on runway by ATC.

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.