# NTSB DCA85AA036: Douglas DC-9-14, N100ME, Milwaukee, WI, September 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1985, 15:21 local (20:21 UTC)
- Place: Milwaukee, WI
- Coordinates: 43.0195, -87.929267 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0195&lon=-87.9293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 31 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA85AA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15838/pdf
- Board report AAR8701 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8701.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA85AA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - compressor assembly - fatigue (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - improper (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-87/01. To obtain a copy of this report, or to view the executive summary online, please see the Web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm

DRG TAKEOFF, THE ACFT (MIDWEST EXPRESS FLT 105) WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 450' AGL WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS THE RGT ENG FAILED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED IN AN APRX 90 DEG, RGT WING LOW, ATTITUDE. AN INV REVEALED THAT THE 9TH TO 10TH STAGE, HI PRESSURE COMPRESSOR SPACER IN THE RGT ENG HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THEFAILURE WAS PRECIPITATED BY A FATIGUE CRACK IN 1 OF THE 2 KNIFE EDGES ON THE SPACER. INITIALLY, CORRECT (LEFT) RUDDER RESPONSE WAS USED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER IN THE RGT ENG, BUT ABOUT 4 TO 5 SEC LATER, RGT RUDDER DEFLECTION OCCURRED. APRX 10 SEC AFTER THE RGT ENG FAILED, THE ACFT STALLED & WENT OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO, ABOUT 1.5 SEC AFTER THE INITIAL RGT ENG FAILURE, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE LEFT ENG'S RPM, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG COMPRESSOR STALLED AFTER THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL & WAS DSCNDG IN AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE. HOWEVER, THE REDUCTION OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENG WAS NOT CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL. NEITHER PLT VERBALLY IDENTIFIED THE EMERG CONDITION DRG THE SEQUENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N100ME (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-9-14
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47309
- Airframe hours: 31892
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Midwest Express Airlines,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 4, 1985, 18 hours before
- Departed: MKE
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MKE, General Mitchell Field, runway 19R, 9,690 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,085 total, 1,085 in this make and model, 212 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE

## 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 19850906077659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850906077659A), Sep 6, 1985: Doug DC914, Milwaukee, WI, Destroyed, 29 fatal. Right engine failed on takeoff. The pilot incorrectly applied rudder and the aircraft stalled and impacted terrain

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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