# NTSB FTW86IA093: Boeing 727-224, N88711, Corpus Christi, TX, May 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1986, 17:52 local (22:52 UTC)
- Place: Corpus Christi, TX
- Coordinates: 27.840879, -97.600273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8409&lon=-97.6003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 83 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86IA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86IA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - landing gear,main gear - jammed (cause)
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - foreign object (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE AN INTENTIONAL GEAR-UP LANDING (LEFT MAIN ONLY) AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO LOWER IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SMALL STEEL NUT WHICH HAD JAMMED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR DOOR UNLATCHING MECHANISM FELL INTO THAT POSITION SOMETIME AFTER THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED ON THE INCIDENT FLIGHT. IT COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THE WHEEL WELL BY THE TIRE WHILE ON THE PARKING RAMP, TAXIWAY, OR THE RUNWAY OR INADVERTENTLY LEFT IN THE WHEEL WELL DURING SOME PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE. THE LANDING GEAR OR DOORS COULD NOT ACTUATE WITH THE STRAY NUT IN THE POSITION IN WHICH IT WAS FOUND. THIS OCCURRENCE IS CONSIDERED AS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88711](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88711-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 19802, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-224
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-224](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-224) (registry code 1384076) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19802
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9 14500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Continental Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: IAH, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: MFE, MC ALLEN, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CRP, Corpus Christi Int'L, runway 13, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,256 total, 3,726 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP

## 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 19860525030699I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860525030699I), May 25, 1986: Boeing 727224, Corpus Christi, TX, Minor damage. Left main gear could not be extended for landing. Diverted for safe landing. Castellated nut lodged in actuator.

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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