# NTSB FTW96FA118: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, N10556, Houston, TX, February 19, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 1 · Field · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1996, 09:02 local (15:02 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.690853, -95.430831 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6909&lon=-95.4308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 12 minor, 75 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1997
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- Investigation class: Class 1
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19624
- NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/FTW96FA118.aspx
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19624/pdf
- Board report AAR9701 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR9701.pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=19624
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96FA118

## Probable cause

the captain's decision to continue the approach contrary to Continental Airlines (COA) standard operating procedures that mandate a go-around when an approach is unstabilized below 500 feet or a ground proximity warning system alert continues below 200 feet above field elevation. The following factors contributed to the accident: (1) the flightcrew's failure to properly complete the in-range checklist, which resulted in a lack of hydraulic pressure to lower the landing gear and deploy the flaps; (2) the flightcrew's failure to perform the landing checklist and confirm that the landing gear was extended; (3) the inadequate remedial actions by COA to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures; and (4) the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of COA to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures. (NTSB Report AAR-97/01)

## Sequence of events

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

- Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - not complied with, flightcrew (contributing factor)
  - hydraulic system - not selected, flightcrew
  - checklist - not used, flightcrew (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - not verified, flightcrew (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate substantiation process, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent

## Analysis

The airplane landed wheels up and slid 6,850 feet before coming to rest in grass about 140 feet left of the runway centerline. The cabin began to fill with smoke, and the airplane was evacuated. Investigation showed that because the captain had omitted the 'Hydraulics' item on the in-range checklist and the first officer failed to detect the the error, hydraulic pressure was not available to lower the landing gear and deploy the flaps. Both the captain and the first officer recognized that the flaps had not extended after the flaps were selected to 15 deg. The pilots then failed to perform the landing checklist and to detect the numerous cues alerting them to the status of the landing gear because of their focus on coping with the flap extension problem and the high level of workload as a result of the rapid sequence of events in the final minute of flight. The first officer attempted to communicate his concern about the excessive speed of the approach to the captain. There were deficiencies in Continental Airlines' (COA) oversight of its pilots and the principal operations inspector's oversight of COA. COA was aware of inconsistencies in flightcrew adherence to standard operating procedures within the airline; however, corrective actions taken before the accident had not resolved this problem.

## Factual narrative

See Aircraft Accident Report, "Wheels-Up Landing, Continental Airlines Flight 1943, Douglas DC-9-32, N10556, Houston, Texas, February 19, 1996,"  NTSB/AAR-97/01.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10556](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10556-2008-08-11), registration cancelled 2008-08-11, S/N 47423, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-32) (registry code 3022066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47243
- Airframe hours: 63162
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: First Security Bank Of Utah
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 17, 1996, 11 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Destination: IAH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IAH, Houston Intercontinental, runway 27, 9,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,500 total, 220 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19960219003889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960219003889A), Feb 19, 1996: Doug DC932, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane landed wheels up and slid 6,850 feet before coming to rest in grass about 140 feet left of the runway centerline. The cabin began to fill with…

## Docket (42 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 1997, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=19624. 45.4 MB in all.

- Notice of Opening of Public Docket (item 1, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Notice%20of%20Opening%20of%20Public%20Docket-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 575 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Survival Factors 6A - Specialist's Factual Report (item 3, .PDF, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Survival%20Factors%206A%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Flight Data Recorder 10A - Specialist's Factual Report (item 4, .PDF, 762 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%2010A%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Cockpit Voice Recorder 12A - Specialist's Factual Report (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Voice%20Recorder%2012A%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Human Performance 14A - Investigator's Factual Report (item 6, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459281&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Human%20Performance%2014A%20-%20Investigator%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Investigator-In-Charge's Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigator-In-Charge%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements (5) (item 8, .PDF, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20(5)-Master.PDF
- Maps or Charts of Accident Area (item 9, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 10, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of IACP Personnel (item 11, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20IACP%20Personnel-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Glen Shellhouse (item 12, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060177&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Glen%20Shellhouse-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Thomas C. Tomburo (item 13, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Thomas%20C.%20Tomburo-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of John Keeney, Jr. (item 14, .PDF, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20John%20Keeney,%20Jr.-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Clarence D. McLean (item 15, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060180&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Clarence%20D.%20McLean-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Deborah McCoy (item 16, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Deborah%20McCoy-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Charles Hill (item 17, .PDF, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Charles%20Hill-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of George McKenzie (item 18, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20George%20McKenzie-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Ronald Osborn (item 19, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060184&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Ronald%20Osborn-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Interview of Fred Abbott (item 20, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Interview%20of%20Fred%20Abbott-Master.PDF
- COA DC-9 Normal Checklist and Excerpts from Expanded Checklist (item 21, .PDF, 481 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459287&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=COA%20DC-9%20Normal%20Checklist%20and%20Excerpts%20from%20Expanded%20Checklist-Master.PDF
- Excerpts from COA DC-9 Flight Manual (item 22, .PDF, 520 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060187&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20COA%20DC-9%20Flight%20Manual-Master.PDF
- COA Training Records for Captain and First Officer (item 23, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=COA%20Training%20Records%20for%20Captain%20and%20First%20Officer-Master.PDF
- Captain's Line Check Report Dated 07/17/95 (item 24, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Captain%27s%20Line%20Check%20Report%20Dated%2007%2F17%2F95-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: The airplane in the grass off to the left side of runway 27. (item 25, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20%20The%20airplane%20in%20the%20grass%20off%20to%20the%20left%20side%20of%20runway%2027.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: The airplane's initial touchdown point. The scrape mark was continuous for 6,850 feet, from this point to the airplane. (item 26, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20%20The%20airplane%27s%20initial%20touchdown%20point.%20%20The%20scrape%20mark%20was%20continuous%20for%206,850%20feet,%20from%20this%20point%20to%20the%20airplane.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: The scrape mark as it diverged off the left side of the runway. (item 27, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060192&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20%20The%20scrape%20mark%20as%20it%20diverged%20off%20the%20left%20side%20of%20the%20runway.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of 255 degrees. Photo courtesy of FAA. No negative. (item 28, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20%20The%20airplane%20came%20to%20rest%20on%20a%20magnetic%20heading%20of%20255%20degrees.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 5: Left inboard main landing gear door. (item 29, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20%20Left%20inboard%20main%20landing%20gear%20door.-Master.PDF
- Photo 6: Erosion of the outer skin of the left inboard main landing gear door. (item 30, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20%20Erosion%20of%20the%20outer%20skin%20of%20the%20left%20inboard%20main%20landing%20gear%20door.-Master.PDF
- Photo 7: Right inboard main landing gear door. Photo courtesy of FAA. No negative. (item 31, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%3A%20%20Right%20inboard%20main%20landing%20gear%20door.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 8: Left forward nose gear door. Photo courtesy of FAA. No negative. (item 32, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%3A%20%20Left%20forward%20nose%20gear%20door.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 9: Nose gear. Note that both right nose gear doors remained attached. Photo courtesy of Continental Airlines. No negative. (item 33, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209%3A%20%20Nose%20gear.%20%20Note%20that%20both%20right%20nose%20gear%20doors%20remained%20attached.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Continental%20Airlines.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 10: Damage to lower fuselage of airplane. Photo courtesy of Continental Airlines. No negative. (item 34, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010%3A%20%20Damage%20to%20lower%20fuselage%20of%20airplane.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Continental%20Airlines.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 11: Closeup of damage to the lower fuselage due to contact erosion. Photo courtesy of Continental Airlines. No negative. (item 35, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011%3A%20%20Closeup%20of%20damage%20to%20the%20lower%20fuselage%20due%20to%20contact%20erosion.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Continental%20Airlines.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 12: Left main landing gear. Note the undamaged outboard gear door. Photo courtesy of Continental Airlines. No negative. (item 36, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2012%3A%20%20Left%20main%20landing%20gear.%20%20Note%20the%20undamaged%20outboard%20gear%20door.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Continental%20Airlines.%20%20No%20negative.-Master.PDF
- Photo 13: Cockpit throttle quadrant with flap handle positioned to 50 degrees. (item 37, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2013%3A%20%20Cockpit%20throttle%20quadrant%20with%20flap%20handle%20positioned%20to%2050%20degrees.-Master.PDF
- Photo 14: Cockpit center instrument panel with gear handle in the down position. Note the hydraulic switches in the "cruise" configuration (lower right corner of photo). (item 38, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2014%3A%20%20Cockpit%20center%20instrument%20panel%20with%20gear%20handle%20in%20the%20down%20position.%20%20Note%20the%20hydraulic%20switches%20in%20the%20%22cruise%22%20configuration%20(lower%20right%20corner%20of%20photo).-Master.PDF
- Photo 15: Cockpit overhead panel. Note the broken safety wire on GPWS flap override switch (upper left corner of photo). (item 39, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40060204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2015%3A%20%20Cockpit%20overhead%20panel.%20%20Note%20the%20broken%20safety%20wire%20on%20GPWS%20flap%20override%20switch%20(upper%20left%20corner%20of%20photo).-Master.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - First Officer's Written Statement 01/27/97 (item 40, .PDF, 645 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20First%20Officer%27s%20Written%20Statement%2001%2F27%2F97-Master.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Party Submission from IACP (item 41, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20Party%20Submission%20from%20IACP-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 42, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF

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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