# NTSB DCA84IA026: Boeing 747, Los Angeles, CA, May 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1984, 21:56 local (May 12, 1984, 04:56 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Location: 33.9425° N, 118.4080° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LOS ANGELES INTL (LAX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9425&lon=-118.4080&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA84IA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA84IA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Explosion, takeoff - initial climb
  - compressor assembly,casting - fatigue (cause)
  - compressor assembly,casting - exploded
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fuel dumped - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING ROTATION THE #2 ENG SUSTAINED AN EXPLOSIVE RUPTURE OF ITS COMPRESSOR REAR FRAME(CRF). THE CREW OBSERVED A RAPID DROP IN THE #2 ENG PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS & THE ILLUMINATION OF THE #2 ENG THRUST REVERSERS 'UNLOCK AND IN TRANSIT' LITES. THE CREW DISCHARGED A FIRE BOTTLE. AFTER THE ENG WAS SHUT DOWN & THE FUEL DUMPED, THE CREW LANDED THE ACFT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE ENG DAMAGE WAS PRIMARILY CONFINED TO AN AXIALLY RUPTURED OUTER CASING OF THE CRF. THE CRF HAD FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF A HIGH-STRESS(LOW-CYCLE) FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED AT A ZONE OF MICROPOROSITY IN THE IGNITOR PAD AREA OF THE CRF OUTER CASING. TOTAL NUMBER OF CREW & PASSENGERS NOT REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: FBPVS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 747
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: GE CF6-50 47000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 129
- Registered owner: Air France
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark

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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