# NTSB MKC90IA070: Boeing 737-300, N17317, Wichita, KS, March 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1990, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Location: 37.6500° N, 97.4330° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WICHITA DWIGHT D EISENHOWER NTL (ICT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6500&lon=-97.4330&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 135 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90IA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90IA070

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF LEVEL ARM.

## 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 - roll/run
  - compressor assembly,variable inlet guide vane - not secured (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - 1 engine - fire
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,slides - failure,partial

## Analysis

BOEING 737-300 ABORTED TAKEOFF FROM WICHITA, KANSAS WHEN THE RIGHT ENGINE HAD POWER LOSS AND WAS ON FIRE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE TEARDOWN RESULTS REVEALED ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DISENGAGED LEVER ARM OF VARIABLE STATOR VANE ON STAGE NEAR HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR AREA RESULTING IN HIGH SYCLE FATIGUE OF A STAGE 1 BLADE IN HPC. AN EMERGENCY SLIDE UPPER GIRT BAR SUFFERED OVERLOAD TYPE FAILURE DURING EVACUATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17317](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17317-2004-07-08), registration cancelled 2004-07-08, S/N 23368, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 737-300
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-3TO](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-3to) (registry code 138447G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23368
- Airframe hours: 13118
- Engines: CFM CFM56-3-1 20000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 9, 1990, 78 hours before
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ICT, Wichita Mid-Continent, runway 1R, 7,302 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; 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: 7,680 total, 1,025 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT

## 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 19900317020449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900317020449I), Mar 17, 1990: Boeing 7373T0, Wichita, KS, Minor damage. Right engine failure on takeoff. Aborted. Evacuated on taxiway. Disengaged lever arm caused blade failure.

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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