# NTSB NYC84IA271: Boeing 727-232, N518PE, Buffalo, NY, July 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1984, 16:58 local (20:58 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, NY
- Coordinates: 42.930019, -78.750518 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9300&lon=-78.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 105 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84IA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84IA271

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight control,flap - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - flight control,flap - vibration
  - flight control,flap - failure,total (cause)
  - flight control,flap - separation

## Analysis

DURING THE DEPARTURE FROM NEWARK, NJ, THE AIRCREW NOTED A VIBRATION WHICH CEASED AFTER THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED. THE CREW SUSPECTED THAT A TIRE WAS OUT-OF-ROUND OR A GEAR DOOR WAS VIBRATING & CONTINUED THE FLT. DURING THE APCH TO BUFFALO, NY, THE VIBRATION OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED, BUT CEASED ON FINAL APCH. THE APCH & LANDING WERE CONTINUED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AFTER LANDING, AN EXAM OF THE ACFT, GEAR & GEAR DOORS REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE VIBRATION. HOWEVER, DURING THE FLT, A PIECE OF THE LEFT TRAILING EDGE FLAP HAD SEPARATED. IT HAD SEPARATED ON FINAL APCH & HAD HIT A PARKED CAR CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER SURFACE PREPARATION & BONDING DURING A PREVIOUS REPAIR OF THE FLAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N518PE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-232
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20641
- Airframe hours: 30025
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 13750 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: People Express Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 25, 1984
- Departed: EWR, NEWARK, NJ
- Destination: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Observed at: BUF

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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