# NTSB FTW89IA053: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, N1289L, Houston, TX, February 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1989, 06:43 local (12:43 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 30.06048, -95.679542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0605&lon=-95.6795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 47 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89IA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89IA053

## Probable cause

THE TURBINE GUIDE VANE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb
  - turbine assembly,nozzle - failure,total (cause)
  - turbine assembly - failure,total
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Fire/explosion, taxi - from landing
  - lubricating system - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - engine compartment - fire

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED AND THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED BACK ON THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AFTER TURNING OFF ON A TAXIWAY, THE TOWER TOLD THE CREW THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CREW USED THE FIRE BOTTLE AND ORDERED AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT INITIALLY, A VANE HAD FAILED IN THE STAGE 2 TURBINE SECTION. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY BURNING ENGINE OIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1289L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-32
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47444
- Airframe hours: 50735
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Delta Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 8, 1989, 78 hours before
- Departed: IAH
- Destination: CVG, CINCINNATI, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IAH, Houston Intercontinental, runway 27, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,800 total, 650 in this make and model, 220 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890221011659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890221011659I), Feb 21, 1989: Doug DC932, Houston, TX, Minor damage. Left engine lost power on climbout. On landing, leaking oil caused engine fire. Engine had a failed turbine blade.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.