# NTSB LAX87MA125: Boeing 727-224, N88704, Los Angeles, CA, February 26, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Major investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 1987, 19:38 local (Feb 26, 1987, 03:38 UTC) - Place: Los Angeles, CA - Coordinates: 33.950695, -118.399414 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9507&lon=-118.3994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 92 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 1988 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87MA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87MA125 ## 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 - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - identification of aircraft visually - improper, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor) - visual/aural perception, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor) - crew/group coordination - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - atc clearance - conflicting, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - identification of aircraft visually - improper, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor) - visual/aural perception, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor) - crew/group coordination - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - atc clearance - conflicting, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) AFTER A NGT LNDG ON NORTH SIDE OF LOS ANGELES INTL ARPT, CESSNA 310, N98834, WAS TAXIED SOUTH (S) TO DELTA CARGO AREA. BFR RCHG S RWYS (25L & 25R), THE PLT STOPPED SHORT OF KILO RAMP BHND ANOTHER ACFT (N61C) & CONTACTED S GND CTLR (GC-1). HE WAS TOLD TO HOLD SHORT. CONT FLT 866 (BOEING 727, N88704) ADZD S LCL CTLR (LC-1) HE WAS READY FOR TKOF (ON RWY 25R). LC-1 WAS AWARE N98823 & N61C WERE WAITING TO CROSS S RWYS & GRANTED APPROVAL FOR GC-1 TO CLR THEM ACROSS 25R. GC-1 CLRD THEM ACROSS 25R & TOLD THEM TO HOLD SHORT OF RWY 25L. APRX 32 SEC LATER, LC-1 CLRD FLT 866 FOR TKOF. LATER HE SAID HE HAD SCANNED THE RWY & SAW WHAT HE PERCEIVED AS 2 ACFT BTN THE PARALLEL RWYS. HOWEVER, N98834 WAS STILL X-ING RWY 25R AS FLT 866 BGN TKOF. THE CESSNA PLT WAS FOCUSING HIS ATTN ON THE ACFT AHEAD & DID NOT SEE FLT 866. SHORTLY AFTER FLT 866 LIFTED OFF, ITS MAIN GEAR HIT THE CESSNA'S VERTICAL STABILIZER. THE TWR CAB SUPVR WAS WORKING A NORTH CTLR'S POSITION WHILE THE CTLR WAS ON A RELIEF BREAK. LC-1 WAS INVOLVED IN OTHER OPNL ERRORS ON 12/21/85, 7/9/86 & 10/28/86. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N88704](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88704-2002-09-17), registration cancelled 2002-09-17, S/N 19513, 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: 19513 - Engines: P&W JT8D 15500 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Continental Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Destination: HOUSTON, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LAX, Los Angeles Intl, runway 25R, 12,091 × 150 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N98834](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98834), registered now, S/N 310R0603, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R - Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0603 - Airframe hours: 2290 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Lompoc Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Ted L. Hofmeister - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OXNARD, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LAX, Los Angeles Intl, runway 25R, 12,091 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N88704; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N98834; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,779 total, 106 in this make and model, 2,573 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAX, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19870225038971A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870225038971A), Feb 25, 1987: Boeing 727224, Los Angeles, CA. On takeoff, the wheel of the aircraft hit N98834 which was taxiing. ATC controllers did not ensure separation. - [Accident 19870225038972A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870225038972A), Feb 25, 1987: Cessna 310R, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. The tail of the taxiing aircraft was hit by N88704 which was taking off. ATC controllers did not ensure separation ## Other investigations on N88704 (1) 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 CHI91IA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91IA297), Sep 20, 1991: Boeing 727-224 (N88704), Detroit, MI, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT IS INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE LANDING GEAR ACTUATOR BY THE… 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.