# NTSB IAD74AI035: Douglas DC-9, N8978E, Greensboro, NC, December 17, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 17, 1973
- Place: Greensboro, NC · GREENSBORO, NC
- Location: 36.0726° N, 79.7920° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greensboro, NC, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0726&lon=-79.7920&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 88 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD74AI035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74AI035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0035  73/12/17   GREENSBORO,NC       DOUGLAS DC-9        CR-  0  0  4  SCHED DOM PASSG SRV       AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1545                    N8978E              PX-  0  0 85                            49, 10000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            1400 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HIGH POINT
        OPERATOR - EASTERN AIR LINES,INC.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          RALEIGH-DURHAM,NC           CHICAGO,ILL                  GREENSBORO,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
           PERSONNEL - AIRPORT SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE-AIRPORT FACILITIES
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: COMPRESSOR STALLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: ICE/SLUSH ON RUNWAY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 2 ENGINES
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- 2IN SNO RPTD RWY 5.TKOF,ENCTRD HVY SLUSH,CONT INTO HVYR SLUSH.RWY,MEAS 3-5IN SNO,SLUSH.HIT TWY LIP
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8978E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8978E-2010-07-20), registration cancelled 2010-07-20, S/N 47327, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-9
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: High Point

## Other investigations on N8978E (2)

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.

- [NTSB ATL90IA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90IA060), Jan 31, 1990: Douglas DC-9-31 (N8978E), Louisville, KY, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE DISABLING OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TORQUE LINK WHICH ALLOWED THE TRUCK TO ROTATE FREELY. THE TORQUE LINK WAS DISABLED WHEN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WAS GENERATED BY EXCESSIVE PLAY OF THE TORQUE LINK…
- [NTSB ATL84LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA235), Jul 25, 1984: Douglas DC-9-31 (N8978E), Augusta, GA, no damage

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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