# NTSB FTW82DA139: Boeing 727-200, N32717, Austin, TX, April 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1982, 21:24 local (Apr 19, 1982, 03:24 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.259922, -97.739494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2599&lon=-97.7395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 68 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA139

## 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 strut - previous damage (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - cracked (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - stress corrosion (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT STRUCTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY REVEALED A FAILED DRAG STRUT ASSEMBLY #65-57903-11. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING CRACK PRIOR TO THE STRUT SEPARATION. THE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING PROBABLY INITIATED FROM PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE STRUT CYLINDER RESULTING FROM A TIRE BLOWOUT INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON 3/10/82. EITHER A SMALL CRACK OR GROUP OF CRACKS INITIATED IN THE STRUT AT THE TIME OF THE PRIOR DAMAGE, OR THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SURFACE FINISH & PRODUCE A NOTCH AND/OR UNFAVORABLE RESIDUAL STRESS WHICH MADE THE STRUT SUSCEPTABLE TO STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IN THIS AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32717-2012-10-02), registration cancelled 2012-10-02, S/N 20386, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-200
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-224](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-224) (registry code 1384076) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-5) (registry code 52046, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20386
- Airframe hours: 39609
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Continental Airlines, Inc.
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: BENNETTSVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AUS, Austin Muni, runway 31, 7,269 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 11,165 total, 2,461 in this make and model, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 6 statute miles

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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