# NTSB LAX90IA293: Boeing 737-322, N305UA, Los Angeles, CA, August 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1990, 09:04 local (16:04 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Location: 33.9425° N, 118.4080° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LOS ANGELES INTL (LAX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9425&lon=-118.4080&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 138 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90IA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90IA293

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE SERVICE BY A COMPANY EMPLOYEE WHO ALLOWED A FOREIGN OBJECT (FLASHLIGHT) TO REMAIN IN THE LANDING GEAR EXTEND/RETRACT LINKAGE DURING A NIGHT SERVICING BEFORE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - landing gear,main gear - foreign object (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT OF UAL FLIGHT 1257 WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE CREW EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR FOR LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AND RECEIVED AN UNSAFE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR INDICATION. THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE GEAR AND PRECEDED TO AN AIRPORT WITH A LONGER RUNWAY FOR A GEAR UP LANDING. THE LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT INJURIES. THE RIGHT POWERPLANT NACELLE RECEIVED INCIDENTAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN. WHEN THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS OPENED A 3 CELL FLASHLIGHT WAS FOUND SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE CARGO FLOORING AND THE LANDING GEAR RETRACT/EXTEND LINKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N305UA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N305UA-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 23666, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-322
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-322](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-322) (registry code 138447Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23666
- Engines: CFM 56-3B-2 22500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles Int'L, runway 24L, 10,285 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LAX

## 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 19900821043019I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900821043019I), Aug 21, 1990: Boeing 737322, Los Angeles, CA, Minor damage. Main right gear would not extend. Landed right gear up. A three d cell flashlight prevented the gear extension.

## Other investigations on N305UA (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 DEN05IA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05IA076), May 17, 2005: Boeing 737-322 (N305UA), Denver, CO, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: the improper use of procedure used by the ground personnel resulting in the right wing of the aircraft colliding with the left wing of another aircraft. A factor in this incident was the failure to…
- [NTSB CHI88IA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88IA015), Oct 29, 1987: Boeing 737-322 (N305UA), Chicago, IL, incident, 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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