# NTSB MIA85IA246: Douglas DC-8-71, N1300L, West Palm Bch, FL, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1985, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 26.659973, -80.089775 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6600&lon=-80.0898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 107 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85IA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85IA246

## 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, takeoff - roll/run
  - compressor assembly,variable inlet guide vane - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,master rod - disconnected (contributing factor)
- Fire, takeoff - roll/run
  - compressor assembly,blade - overtemperature

## Analysis

DURING TAKE OFF ROLL THE #4 ENGINE FAILED CAUSING CATOSTROPHIC DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. DURING SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION THE LEFT VGV ACTUATOR PIN WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING. WITHOUT THIS PIN THE VGV ARM8 ARE AYSEMETRICALLY DRIVEN. THE VGV ARMS WERE FOUND BROKEN IN HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE DRIVEN. THE VGV ARMS WERE FOUND BROKEN IN HIGH STRESS LOW CYCLE FATIGUE. THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSER BLADES WERE FAILED IN LOW STRESS HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1300L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-8-71
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46014
- Engines: GE CFM56-2-CI 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 7, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BCH, FL
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: pbi, West Palm Beach, runway 13, 6,930 × 150 ft, asphalt

## 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

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19850908074209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850908074209I), Sep 8, 1985: Doug DC871, West Palm Beach, FL, Minor damage. Large fireball noted during ground run. Aborted. Turbine failure of NR4 engine.

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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