# NTSB MIA90IA047: Boeing 727-251, N2280, Madison, FL, January 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1990, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Madison, FL
- Coordinates: 30.460279, -83.40969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4603&lon=-83.4097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 145 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90IA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90IA047

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF COMPANY SERVICE PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY SERVICE THE AIRPLANE FORWARD LAVATORY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - fluid,lavatory - leak
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - compressor assembly,blade - foreign object damage

## Analysis

THE CREW OF THE AIRLINE FLIGHT HEARD A BANG AND NOTED THE LOSS OF NO 3 ENGINE POWER, IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FL350, DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, DIVERTED AND LANDED. AFTER LANDING THE NO 3 ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE MISSING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. EXAMINED AND EXHIBITED SOFT BODY FOD DAMAGE TO THE COMPRESSOR BLADES. THE FORWARD LAVATORY EXTERNAL SEAL WAS MISSING THE SAFETY BUTTON AND THE INTERNAL SEAL WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FOR LEAKAGE WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS PRESSURIZED. THE FUSELAGE EXTERNAL SKIN AFT OF THE FORWARD LAVATORY SERVICE PANEL WAS STAINED WITH BLUE FLUID.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2280 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-251
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21159
- Airframe hours: 34169
- Engines: P&W JT-8-D-15 6000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Northwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Investors Holding Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 16, 1989, 166 hours before
- Departed: MIA, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MS
- 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: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 105 nm away

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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