# NTSB DCA89MA074: Boeing 737-400, N416US, Flushing, NY, September 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 23:21 local (Sep 21, 1989, 03:21 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, NY
- Coordinates: 40.769294, -73.870361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7693&lon=-73.8704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious, 18 minor, 40 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1992
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- Investigation class: Class 1
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15921
- NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA89MA074.aspx
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15921/pdf
- Board report AAR9003 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR9003.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA89MA074

## Probable cause

THE CAPTAIN'S FAILURE TO EXERCISE HIS COMMAND AUTHORITY IN A TIMELY MANNER TO REJECT THE TAKEOFF OR TAKE SUFFICIENT CONTROL TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF, WHICH WAS INITIATED WITH A MISTRIMMED RUDDER. ALSO CAUSAL WAS THE CAPTAIN'S FAILURE TO DETECT THE MISTRIMMED RUDDER BEFORE THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - trim setting - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

AS THE FIRST OFFICER BEGAN THE TAKEOFF HE FELT THE AIRPLANE DRIFT RIGHT. THE CAPT NOTICED THE DRIFT ALSO & USED NOSEWHEEL TILLER TO HELP STEER. THE CREW THEN HEARD A 'BANG' AND A CONTINUAL RUMBLING NOISE. THE CAPT THEN TOOK OVER & REJECTED THE TAKEOFF BUT DID NOT STOP THE AIRPLANE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDING WITH A WOODEN APPROACH LIGHTING PIER. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN WATER. THE RUDDER TRIM POSITION WAS FOUND TO BE 16 DEG, OR FULL, LEFT DEFLECTION OF RUDDER. THE DFDR RECORDED THIS POSITION FROM ENGINE START AT THE GATE. (NTSB/AAR-90/03)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N416US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N416US-1992-11-05), registration cancelled 1992-11-05, S/N 23884 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-400
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2235
- Engines: CFM CFM-56-3B2 turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Usair
- Registered owner: Usair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 3, 1989
- Destination: CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LGA, La Guardia, runway 31, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight engineer, military, 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: 5,525 total, 2,625 in this make and model, 122 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGR, 1 nm away

## 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 19890920035599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920035599A), Sep 20, 1989: Boeing 737401, New York, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Failed to recognize offset rudder trim or correct swerve on takeoff. Aborted late. Improper procedures caused overun

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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