# NTSB DEN90LA046: Boeing 757-222, N505UA, New York, NY, January 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1990, 15:03 local (20:03 UTC)
- Place: New York, NY
- Coordinates: 40.770709, -73.870697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7707&lon=-73.8707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 176 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA046

## Probable cause

OVERROTATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING TAKEOFF.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FIRST OFFICER'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT MANUAL, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS IMPROPER CALCULATIONS OF THE ROTATION SPEED, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION CONCERNING VERIFICATION OF THE TAKEOFF DATA BY THE CAPTAIN.

## 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
  - flight manuals - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vr) - improper, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PREPARING FOR FLT IN A BOEING 757, THE 1ST OFFICER (FO) INADVERTENTLY COMPUTED THE TAKEOFF DATA BY USING THE BOEING 767 DATA. V1, VR & V2 SPEEDS WERE CALCULATED TO BE 115, 118 & 129 KTS. THE CORRECT SPEEDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN 145, 148 & 152 KTS. THE CAPT DID NOT CONFIRM THE V-SPEED COMPUTATION; BOTH PLTS SET THEIR AIRSPEED BUGS AT THE IMPROPER SPEEDS. DURING LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WAS OVERROTATED & THE LOWER AFT FUSELAGE CONTACTED THE RWY. THE CREW NOTED A 'JOLT,' BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO THEIR DESTN AFTER DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH MAINTENANCE PSNL. AFTER LANDING, DAMAGE WAS NOTED TO THE LOWER AFT SKIN, AFT PRESSURE BULKHEAD & ASSOCIATED STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N505UA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N505UA-2022-10-11), registration cancelled 2022-10-11, S/N 24626, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 757-222
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-222) (registry code 1384956) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2040](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2040) (registry code 52121, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24626
- Airframe hours: 459
- Engines: P&W 2040 37000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: U.T. Finance Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 27, 1989, 166 hours before
- Departed: LGA
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- 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 59; 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: 16,594 total, 3,725 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA

## 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 19900116000739I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900116000739I), Jan 16, 1990: Boeing 757222, New York, NY, Minor damage. Using wrong chart figures for lighter 767 overotated at V2 and dragged tail on runway. Damaged aft pressure bulkhead

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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