# NTSB FTW85IA168: Boeing 727-200B, N701AA, Mexico City, Mexico, March 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1985, 14:11 local (20:11 UTC)
- Place: Mexico City, Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 152 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85IA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85IA168

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, flight engineer
  - interpretation of instructions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - interpretation of instructions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, flight engineer (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole
  - landing gear,tire - exploded
  - landing gear,tire - overload
  - weather condition - high density altitude

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF A 27 FOOT TALL LIGHT POLE WAS STRUCK BY THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR 1,677 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RWY. ACFT GROSS WEIGHT DICTATED A 5 DEG FLAP TAKEOFF AND COMPANY PERFORMANCE DATA AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE ON EITHER RWY 5R OR 23L. THE CREW PERFORMED AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF ON RWY 23R RESULTING IN 10,415 FT OF USABLE RWY INSTEAD OF THE PROGRAMED 13,190 FT ON 5R/23L. THE CAPTAIN WAS FLYING THE ACFT BUT NEITHER THE COPILOT OR THE FLIGHT ENGINEER RECOGNIZED THE ERROR OR INITIATED REMEDIAL ACTION. POLE CONTACT RESULTED IN A BLOWN #4 TIRE AND DAMAGE TO THE GEAR ASS'Y AND TRAILING EDGE FLAP. THE ACFT LANDED UNEVENTFULLY AT DFW ARPT, THE INTENDED DEST. DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 10,000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N701AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-200B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22459
- Airframe hours: 11501
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 14500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MEX, MEXICO CITY
- Destination: DFW, DFW INTER ARPT, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DFW, Dfw

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,747 total, 4,956 in this make and model, 190 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850329026869I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850329026869I), Mar 29, 1985: Boeing 727200, Mexico City, Mexico, Substantial damage. Struck light standard after liftoff. Crew did not use all runway, turn off ac packs, did not have performance data.

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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