# NTSB MIA86MA048: Boeing 727-232, N519DA, Fort Lauderdale, FL, December 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1985, 13:33 local (18:33 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Location: 26.0717° N, 80.1497° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FORT LAUDERDALE/HOLLYWOOD INTL (FLL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0717&lon=-80.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 131 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86MA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86MA048

## 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 - initial climb
  - combustion assembly,outer casing - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - information insufficient, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER GEAR RETRACTION DRG TAKEOFF, AT APRX 150' AGL, THE AIRCREW HEARD A LOUD NOISE & NOTED THE #2 ENG HAD FAILED. THEY SECURED THE ENG, DUMPED FUEL & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE #2 ENG REVEALED THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER OUTER CASE, PN 616315, HAD FAILED FROM HI STRESS, LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE. THE FAILURE ORIGINATED AT A 4.6 INCH CRACK AT THE REAR DRAIN BOSS TO CASE WELD. AT THE LAST SHOP INSPN, A SUSPECTED CRACK WAS VISUALLY OBSVD IN THIS AREA. THE CASE WAS PREPARED FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING BY GRIT BLASTING IT WITH ALUMINUM OXIDE BEADS TO STRIP OFF NICKEL-CADMIUM PLATING. HOWEVER, THE TESTING DID NOT REVEAL A CRACK. THEREFORE, THE CASE WAS RECOATED WITH NICKEL-CADMIUM & RETURNED TO SVC. AFTER THE FAILURE, AN EXAM OF THE FRACTURE AREA REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF NICKEL & CADMIUM (0.5 TO 0.75 INCH, CENTERED ON THE FRACTURE ORIGIN AREA). THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT GRIT BLASTING (PRIOR TO NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING) HAD MECHANICALLY CLOSED THE PREV CRACK, THUS PREVENTING DETECTION. THE OPERATOR REVISED THE SHOP PROCEDURE TO A SHELL BLASTING METHOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N519DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N519DA-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 21470, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-232
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-232) (registry code 1384082) (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: 21470
- Airframe hours: 22083
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15A 15500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 18, 1985, 80 hours before
- Destination: DTW, DETROIT, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FLL, Ft Lauderdale Int'L, runway 9L, 8,018 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,002 total, 12,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL

## 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 19851228071879I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851228071879I), Dec 28, 1985: Boeing 727232, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Minor damage. Engine failed at rotation blowing all 4 front and rear cowl doors onto runway. Crack in combustion chamber case.

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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