# NTSB MIA84IA064: Douglas DC-9-51, N401EA, Tampa, FL, January 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1984, 10:05 local (15:05 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Location: 27.9475° N, 82.4584° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tampa, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9475&lon=-82.4584&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 33 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84IA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84IA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - turbine assembly,seal - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper (cause)
  - turbine assembly,seal - failure,partial (cause)
  - turbine assembly,seal - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - overtemperature
  - lubricating system - blocked(partial)
  - turbine assembly,shaft - failure,total

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF THRU ABOUT 3000 FT, THE CREW NOTED THAT THE #2 EPR HAD DROPPED ABOUT .08, FROM APRX 1.82 TO 1.74 EPR. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE 1ST OFFICER NOTED THAT THE AVM ON THE #2 ENG WAS AT THE MAX INDICATION. AT ABOUT 4000 FT, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE ACFT AS THE RIGHT ENG LOST POWER. THE CREW SECURED THE RIGHT ENG, RETURNED TO TAMPA & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT TURBINE BLADES HAD EXITED THE SIDE OF THE ENG TAILPIPE. TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR CENTER TUBE SEALING RING HAD AN APRX 1 IN (CIRCUMFERENTIAL) PIECE OF HARD SURFACE PLATING MISSING FROM THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER SEALING SURFACE. THIS FAILURE WAS IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH A GAP IN THE REAR PISTON RING. NEITHER RING COMFORMED TO DESIGN SPECS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT HOT AIR CAUSED COKING OF THE OIL. THE TURBINE SHAFT HAD FAILED APRX 13 INCHES FORWARD OF THE 4-1/2 BEARING. THE 4-1/2 BEARING SEALS WERE DAMAGED, 7 DISPLAYED COKE DEPOSITS. THE LOW PRESS TURBINE MOVED AFT INTERMESHING BLADES & STATORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N401EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N401EA-2018-12-06), registration cancelled 2018-12-06, S/N 47682, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-9-51
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-51) (registry code 3022051) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-9-series) (registry code 52048, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 920VJ
- Airframe hours: 23349
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17 16000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Eastern Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 8,952 total, 1,023 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 2 nm away

## 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 19840121025549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840121025549I), Jan 21, 1984: Doug DC951, Tampa, FL, Minor damage. Loss of power on climbout. Engine shut down. Turbine section was destroyed. Cause undetermined.

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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