# NTSB DCA90IA048: Airbus Industrie A320-211, N306US, Chicago, IL, August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1990, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Location: 41.8500° N, 87.6501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chicago, IL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8500&lon=-87.6501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 159 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA90IA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA90IA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT(S) ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROTATE TO AN EXCESSIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, EITHER DURING A TAKEOFF OR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, unknown
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON AUGUST 17, 1990, AT APPROXIMATELY 1415 CDT, WHILE CONDUCTING A WALK AROUND INSPECTION IN PREPARATION FOR A DOMESTIC REVENUE FLIGHT, THE FIRST OFFICER DISCOVERED A FOUR FOOT SCRAPE ON THE AFT BELLY OF AIRBUS A320-211, N306US.  THE TAIL STRIKE RENDERED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.  NO CREW OR PASSENGERS REPORTED INJURIES.  THE EXACT TIME AND PLACE OF THE EVENT WAS NOT VERIFIED.  THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT WAS NORTHWEST FLIGHT 132, OPERATING FROM ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AS A PASSENGER REVENUE FLIGHT WITH NINE CREW AND 150 PASSENGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N306US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N306US-2006-08-03), registration cancelled 2006-08-03, S/N 060, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Airbus Industrie A320-211
- Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A320-211](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a320-211) (registry code 3930320) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60
- Engines: CFM CFM56 23500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Northwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Northwest Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MSP, ST PAUL, MN
- Destination: ORD
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported

## 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 19900810052699I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900810052699I), Aug 10, 1990: Airbus A320231, Chicago, IL, Minor damage. Aft lower fuselage contacted runway on landing. No reason for incident apparent.

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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