# NTSB DCA88MZ002: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83, N569AA, Nashville, TN, February 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1988, 16:14 local (22:14 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.109771, -86.659477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1098&lon=-86.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 18 minor, 113 uninjured; on the ground: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA88MZ002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15901/pdf
- Board report HZM8802 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HZM8802.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MZ002

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, approach
  - procedures/directives - not understood, other person (cause)
  - procedure inadequate (cause)
  - fuselage,cargo compartment
  - hazardous material - leak (cause)
  - fire warning system,cargo - not installed (contributing factor)
  - fire extinguisher,cargo - not installed (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,cargo compartment
  - acft/equip,inadequate design (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AMERICAN FLT 132 WAS LOADED WITH UNDECLARED & IMPROPERLY MARKED HAZ MTRL (HM) PACKED IN A FIBER DRUM. IT CONTAINED 5 GALOF 50% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SOLUTION (OXIDIZER) & 25 LBS OF TEXTREAT S-W (CORROSIVE AGENT; SODIUM ORTHOSILICATE-BASED MIX),SHIPPED BY TEXTILE TREATMENTS INTL. THE DRUM WAS LOADED ON ITS SIDE IN THE MIDCARGO (CLASS-D) COMPRT. HM LEAKED DRG FLT,CAUSING HEAT. JUST BFR LNDG, SMOKE ENTERED PAX CABIN. THE CAPT (AWARE OF RPRTD APU FUMES ON A PREV FLT) WAS SKEPTICAL OF RPRTD SMOKE. AFTER LNDG, HE NOTIFIED ATC OF PSBL CARGO COMPRT FIRE & REQUESTED CFR. ACFT WAS EVACUATED ON TWY; 4 F/A,9 PAX, 2 CFR & 3 GND PSNL SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION, EYE IRRITATION OR MINOR INJURY. INV REVEALED SHIPPER LACKED KNOW- LEDGE ABT RESTRNS & RQRMENTS OF SHIPPING HM; PROC INADQT FOR DETECTING UNDECLARED HM SHIPMENTS. LACK OF HEAT/SMOKE DE- TECTION EQUIP & INSUFFICIENT FLT CREW COMM RESULTED IN DELAY OF DETECTING IN-FLT FIRE & DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY. INADQTDESIGN OF CARGO COMPART & ITS LACK OF FIRE EXT RDCD THE ABILITY TO STOP OR PREVENT SPREAD OF FIRE. (SEE: NTSB/HZM-88/02)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N569AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N569AA-2017-12-26), registration cancelled 2017-12-26, S/N 49351, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-83
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83(MD-83)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-83-md-83) (registry code 3022083) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49351
- Airframe hours: 2001
- Engines: P&W JT8D-219 21700 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 2, 1988, 6 hours before
- Departed: DFW, DALLAS/FT WORTH, TX
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BNA, Nashville Metro, runway 2L, 7,702 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,700 total, 400 in this make and model, 177 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19880203010419I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880203010419I), Feb 3, 1988: Doug DC983, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. Hazardous materials spillage in cargo bay. Smoke and fire was generated. Cargo not properly marked.

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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