# NTSB DEN93FA015: Douglas DC-8-52, N810CK, Denver, CO, December 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1992, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.78992, -104.839385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7899&lon=-104.8394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA015

## Probable cause

AN ENCOUNTER WITH SEVERE CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - wing,skin - loss,partial
  - wing,wing rib - loss,partial
  - wing - overload
- Engine tearaway, cruise - normal
  - nacelle/pylon - failure,total
  - nacelle/pylon - failure,partial
  - nacelle/pylon - overload

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FLIGHT LEVEL 310, 20 MILES WEST OF DENVER, COLORADO, THE ALL CARGO 14 CFR PART 121 FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE WHICH CAUSED MAJOR FLUCTUATIONS IN SPEED AND OSCILLATIONS IN BOTH PITCH AND ROLL.  DURING THESE DEPARTURES FROM CONTROLLED FLIGHT, THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE AND 19 FEET OF THE LEADING EDGE OF THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER FOUR ENGINE PYLON CRACKED AND EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.  THE FLIGHT CONDUCTED A PRECAUTIONARY DESCENT AND LANDED AT STAPLETON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DENVER, COLORADO.  PRECEDING THE OCCURRENCE, THE FLIGHT WAS ENCOUNTERING LIGHT TO OCCASIONALLY MODERATE CHOP, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE FORECAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N810CK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N810CK-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 45814, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-8-52
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-8-52](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-8-52) (registry code 302192D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT3D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt3d-series) (registry code 52035, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45814
- Airframe hours: 32283
- Engines: P&W JT3D-3B 18000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Connie Kalitta Services, doing business as American Int'L Airways
- Registered owner: American International Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 24, 1992, 136 hours before
- Departed: DAY, DAYTON, OH
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,497 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 10,400 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 20 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 19921209049549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921209049549A), Dec 9, 1992: Doug DC852, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence. Engine pylon and engine separated. Left wing leading edge also. Landed safely.

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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