# NTSB LAX89IA315: Boeing 727-224, N88709, Los Angeles, CA, August 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1989, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Location: 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Los Angeles, CA, within about 12 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0522&lon=-118.2437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 148 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89IA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89IA315

## Probable cause

A FATIGUE CRACK IN THE RIGHT GEAR WHEEL WELL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fuselage - cracked (cause)
  - fuselage - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE CREW OF CONTINENTAL FLIGHT 1223, A BOEING 727, NOTED A SEVERE FLOOR VIBRATION BETWEEN PASSENGER ROWS 21 AND 26 WHILE AT FL310 AT A CRUISE SPEED OF 0.8 MACH. THE CREW SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO 280 KTS IAS, DESCENDED TO FL240 AND PROCEEDED TO LOS ANGELES WITHOUT FURTHER DIFFICULTY. A 15 1/2 INCH CONTINUOUS CRACK WAS FOUND ALONG A ROW OF RIVETS AT THE FLOOR LINE IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL. THE CRACK WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TWO PREVIOUS REPAIRS. THE CRACKS APPREARED TO BE FROM FATIGUE. THE REPAIR OF THE PANEL INVOLOVED INSTALLATION OF A DOUBLE PLATE OVER THE REGION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88709](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88709-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 19800, 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: 19800
- Airframe hours: 64986
- Engines: P&W JT8D 15500 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines
- Registered owner: Continental Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 3, 1989
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 9,600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19890810046269I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890810046269I), Aug 10, 1989: Boeing 727224, Los Angeles, CA, Minor damage. Severe vibration in cruise. Descended and slowed. Found 20 inch crack in floor panel in wheel well.

## Other investigations on N88709 (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 DEN84IA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84IA116), Mar 22, 1984: Boeing 727-224 (N88709), Denver, CO, incident, no damage
- [NTSB LAX71AL040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71AL040), Dec 16, 1970: Boeing 727 (N88709), Burbank, CA, substantial 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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