# NTSB NYC84IA192: Boeing 727-31, N855TW, Flushing, NY, June 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1984, 06:54 local (10:54 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, NY
- Location: 40.7654° N, 73.8174° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Flushing, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7654&lon=-73.8174&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 66 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84IA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84IA192

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - door,entrance stair - corroded (contributing factor)
  - door,entrance stair - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - door,entrance stair - open

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FLT ATTENDANT REPORTED AFT AIRSTAIR PARTIALLY OPEN. FLT ENGINEER CHECKED & CONFIRMED AIRSTAIR OPEN APRX 18 INCHES. REMEDIAL ACTION PERFORMED TO NO AVAIL. UNSCHEDULED LANDING PERFORMED WITHOUT INCIDENT. AS ACFT TURNED ONTO TAXIWAY AIRSTAIR CONTACTED GROUND. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED, PRIOR TO DEPT MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR PLACARDED AFT AIRSTAIR WARNING LIGHTS IN THE COCKPIT 'INOPERATIVE.' SUPERVISOR THEN MADE LOGBOOK ENTRY 'AIRSTAIRS CHECKED UP AND LOCKED.' INSPECTION REVEALED PLUNGER ON AFT AIRSTAIR BUNGEE ASS'Y WAS BOUND INSIDE ITS HOUSING DUE TO CORROSION & DIRT INSIDE THE BUSHING THROUGH WHICH PLUNGER SLIDES. MAINTENANCE MIN EQUIP & DISPATCH PROC WHICH WAS PERFORMED WAS TO VERIFY UPLATCH MECHANISM ENGAGED WITH UPLOCK ROLLERS ON AIRSTAIR. A NON-VALID TWA ACFT MAINTENANCE BULLETIN STATED THE ABOVE PROCESS DOES NOT ENSURE THE UPLATCH MECHANISM IS LOCKED AND THAT THE SOFT SURFACES MUST BE IN CONTACT TO VERIFY THE CRANK ARMS ARE LOCKED OVER-CENTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N855TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N855TW-2002-05-17), registration cancelled 2002-05-17, S/N 18574, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-31
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-31) (registry code 1384010) (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: 18574
- Engines: P&W UNK turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Trans World Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: STL, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Jfk Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA

## 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 19840602031729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840602031729I), Jun 2, 1984: Boeing 72731, Flushing, NY, Minor damage. Airstairs doors opened on climbout. Aft airstar warning light inoperative. Over center bungee uplatch inoperative.

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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