# NTSB MKC88FA154: Boeing 737-222, N9060U, Little Rock, AR, August 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 09:07 local (14:07 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock, AR
- Coordinates: 34.749412, -92.279411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7494&lon=-92.2794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 5 serious, 5 minor, 97 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - failure,total (cause)
  - turbine assembly - vibration (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed
- Fire, takeoff - aborted
- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - emergency equipment - not used, passenger (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, passenger (contributing factor)
  - company-induced pressure, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SKED AIR CARRIER FLT WAS ABORTED AFTER THE CAPT HEARD A NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION EMANATING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ACFT, WHICH AT THE TIME, WAS PERCEIVED AS A 'BLOWN' TIRE. THE ACFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED ON THE ACTIVE RWY, AND AN ORDER FM THE CAPTAIN TO REMAIN SEATED WAS GIVEN. THIS ORDER WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY RESCINDED WHEN IT WAS LEARNED, THROUGH A VISUAL SIGHTING, THAT THE LEFT ENG WAS ON FIRE. THE CAPTAIN ISSUED A FIRM ORDER AND EVACUATION OF THE PAX WAS INITIATED. THE SMOKE FROM THE LEFT ENG PROHIBITED PAX USING THE OVERWING EXITS FROM DEPLANING IN THE PRESCRIBED MANNER. THE PAX WHO WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED WERE KNOWN TO HAVE JUMPED FROM THE FRONT OF THE WING INSTEAD OF USING THE WING FLAP, WHICH ACTS AS A SLIDE OFF THE REAR OF THE WING. EXAM OF THE LEFT ENG REVEALED FAILURE OF THE 4TH STAGE TURBINE SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9060U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9060U-1999-04-08), registration cancelled 1999-04-08, S/N 19941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-222
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-222) (registry code 1384473) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9560
- Airframe hours: 39000
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 25, 1987, 2,856 hours before
- Departed: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Destination: CHI, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LIT, Little Rock

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT

## 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 19880810035839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880810035839A), Aug 10, 1988: Boeing 737222, Little Rock, AR. Left turbine engine failure caused pilot to abort takeoff. Engine fire. Passengers injured in evacuation over wing.

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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