# NTSB MIA87IA237: Boeing 727-223, N844AA, Tampa, FL, September 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 27.960594, -82.48941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9606&lon=-82.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 36 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87IA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87IA237

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, descent - normal
  - bleed air system,lines - leak (cause)
  - annunciator panel light(s) - false indication (contributing factor)
  - emergency equipment - selected

## Analysis

DURING DESCENT THE B727 CREW NOTED THE FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE #1 ENGINE. THEY DISCHARGED 2 FIRE BOTTLES INTO THE ENGINE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THEY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED AT THEIR DESTINATION. AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION WAS CONDUCTED, AND 4 PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE 13TH STAGE BLEED AIR DUCT LINE TO THE FUEL HEATER WAS LEAKING AT THE INPUT SIDE AND WAS IMPINGING ON A FIRE DETECTION LOOP ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE LEAK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N844AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N844AA-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 20985, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-223
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-223](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-223) (registry code 1384074) (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: 20985
- Airframe hours: 35534
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9 19500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 4, 1986, 1,500 hours before
- Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TPA, Tampa, runway 18R, 10,998 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,760 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870902077859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870902077859A), Sep 2, 1987: Boeing 727223, Tampa, FL, Minor damage. Flash of lightning hit aircraft at altitude. Engine fire warning light on. Fired bottles. Bleed air leaking on loop.

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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