# NTSB MKC89IA024: Mcdonnell Douglas DC9-31, N965VJ, Minneapolis, MN, November 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1988, 20:50 local (Nov 16, 1988, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.87915, -93.220222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8792&lon=-93.2202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 106 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89IA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89IA024

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE CARCASS AND THE INGESTION OF THE TIRE DEBRIS INTO THE LEFT ENGINE WHICH HINDERED NORMAL OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - aborted
  - 1 engine - foreign object (cause)
  - abort above v1 - initiated, pilot in command
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - remedial action - performed
  - airspeed - excessive (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SCHEDULED COMMUTER FLT WAS BOARDED WITH PASSENGERS AND ACREW CONSISTING OF 3 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, THE FIRST OFFICER AND THE CAPTAIN FOR A FLT TO PITTSBURG, PA. AFTER A GATE RELEASE, THE ACFT WAS TAXIED TO RWY 29R AND PREPARED FOR TAKEOFF. THE TAKEOFF ROLL PROGRESSED NORMALLY UNTIL A POINT 4,200 FEET FROM INITIATION. THE CREW REPORTED A VIBRATION AND THE LEFT ENG POWER DIMINISHED. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED, BUT THE ACFT SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE ABORT AND RWY DISTANCE REMAINING WAS INSUFFICIENT TO AVOID DEPARTING THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT BECAME MIRED IN THE RAIN SOAKED TERRAIN UP TO THE AXLE. POST-INCIDENT EXAM OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR TIRES INDICATED A FAILURE OF THE TIRE CARCASS. THE TIRES HAD BEEN RETREADED 300 AND 244 LANDINGS RESPECTIVELY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CARCASS HOWEVER, HAD NO RECORDS TO SHOW AN OPERATIONAL OR REPLACEMENT HISTORY. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF THE CARCASS WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CAUSE OF THE INITIAL POWER LOSS ON THE LEFT ENG WAS FROM INJESTION OF TIRE DEBRIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N965VJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N965VJ-2005-02-07), registration cancelled 2005-02-07, S/N 47374, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC9-31
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47374
- Airframe hours: 52320
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7 14000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Usair
- Registered owner: Usair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: PIT, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis St Paul Intl, runway 29R, 8,202 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP

## 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 19881115068459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881115068459I), Nov 15, 1988: Doug DC931, Minneapolis, MN, Minor damage. Aborted takeoff roll due to failure of left gear tire. Ingested rubber into engine. Ran off end of runway.

## Other investigations on N965VJ (1)

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.

- [NTSB DCA85IA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA85IA001), Oct 14, 1984: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 (N965VJ), Erie, PA, incident, minor damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.