# NTSB DEN86FA080: Boeing 737-300, N17309, Denver, CO, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 15:39 local (21:39 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.740036, -104.859237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7400&lon=-104.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 111 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA080

## Analysis

F/O WAS ON THE 3RD INITIAL OPERATING EXPERIENCE FLT WITH A CHECK AIRMAN. CAPT AND F/O HAD DISCUSSED RAPID RATE OF ROTATION ON PREVIOUS FLTS AND AGAIN ON ACCIDENT FLT. THE F/O PERFORMED THE TAKEOFF FROM DENVER AND EXCEEDED ROTATION RATE OF 3 DEGREES PER SEC. THE AFT FUSELAGE UNDERBELLY STRUCK THE RWY, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - procedures/directives - not followed, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,airman, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - rotation - excessive, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N17309 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23360
- Airframe hours: 1591
- Engines: GE CFM-56-3 2000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wilminton Trust Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 7, 1986, 5 hours before
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DEN, Stapleton Intl, runway 8R, 10,010 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 531 in this make and model, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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