# NTSB DEN89FA123: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80, N806NY, Denver, CO, May 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1989, 20:03 local (May 29, 1989, 02:03 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.759178, -104.919158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7592&lon=-104.9192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 7 minor, 38 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA123

## Probable cause

A RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR VIBRATION OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TORQUE LINK AND SIDE BRACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - vibration (cause)
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total

## Analysis

FOLLOWING TOUCHDOWN FROM A NORMAL LANDING, AND DURING THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE LANDING ROLL, A RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR VIBRATION OF INCREASING AMPLITUDE OCCURRED. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED UNTIL THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FAILED APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP. EXAMINATION REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE TORQUE LINK, SIDE BRACE, AND SHIMMY DAMPENER. THE RIGHT MAIN TIRES FAILED DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE AND SKIDDING. THE LEFT MAIN TIRES FAILED DUE TO OVERHEAT. AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION WAS CONDUCTED USING THE TAIL CONE EXIT, WHICH WAS DEPLOYED MANUALLY. THERE WAS NO FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N806NY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-80
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49260
- Engines: P&W JT8D 20800 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines
- Departed: EWR, NEWARK, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DEN, Stapleton Int'L, runway 26R, 7,926 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,500 total, 1,325 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DEN, 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 19890528015029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890528015029A), May 28, 1989: Doug MD88, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Vibration on landing roll. Right main collapsed. Had prior vibration incidents. Torgue links broke. Wheel swiveled.

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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