# NTSB FTW85FA202: Boeing 737-300, N300SW, Amarillo, TX, April 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 21:17 local (Apr 29, 1985, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.21997, -101.709342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2200&lon=-101.7093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 132 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather evaluation - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain
  - wind information - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - reversers - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED IN A THUNDERSTORM, WINDS RECORDED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT EXCEEDED THE LIMITS RECOMMENDED FOR FULL REVERSE THRUST. THE ACFT HYDROPLANED, WEATHER-COCKED SLIGHTLY, AND SLID OFF THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF THE 300 FT WIDE RWY. THE NOSEWHEEL COLLAPSED AT IMPACT WITH A RWY LIGHT, AND PENETRATED THE PRESSURE VESSEL. ONE PASSENGER REPORTED A MINOR INJURY DURING THE EVACUATION. REVERSE THRUST WAS MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE ROLLOUT; HYDROPLANE SKID MARKS EXTENDED FROM AT OR NEAR THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN POINT TO DEPARTURE FROM THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300SW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N300SW), registered now, S/N 22940, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-300
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-3H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-3h4) (registry code 138447K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22940
- Airframe hours: 1342
- Engines: GE CFM-56-3 22000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 23, 1985, 42 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AMA, Amarillo Intl, runway 4, 13,502 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,245 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 4,130 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA

## 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 19850428021429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428021429I), Apr 28, 1985: Boeing 737*, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft hydroplaned after encountering extremely heavy rain on rollout. Nose gear struck abutment.

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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