# NTSB NYC88FA050: Boeing 737-2B7, N319AU, Deptford, NJ, December 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1987, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Deptford, NJ
- Location: 39.8157° N, 75.1181° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Township of Deptford, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8157&lon=-75.1181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 67 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - engine installation,mounting bolt - fatigue (cause)
- Engine tearaway, climb - to cruise
- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - precautionary landing
  - hydraulic system - inoperative
  - flight control,flap - failure,partial
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative
  - landing gear,steering system - inoperative

## Analysis

DRG TKOF, AS USAIR FLT 224 WAS CLBG THRU 4000', THE ACFT YAWED/ROLLED RGT. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE CREW NOTICED THE #2 THROTTLE SLAM/LOCK TO THE IDLE PSN & A CONTINUOUS AIRFRAME BUFFET BEGAN. SOON THEREAFTER, THE #2 ENG SEPD FM THE ACFT & THE BUFFET STOPPED. THE ENG IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FLD, 6 MI FM THE ARPT. JUST BFR IT SEPD, A PAX SAW THE AFT END OF THE #2 ENG MOMENTARILY DROOP ABOUT 30 DEG. AFTER ENG SEPN, THE 'B' HYD SYS LOST PRES & THE TE FLAPS WOULD ONLY EXTD 10 DEG. THE ACFT WAS LNDD SAFELY AFTER AN EMERG GEAR EXTN & DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING WAS USED FOR STEERING. AN EXAM REVEALED THE AFT MOUNT CONE BOLT FOR THE #2 ENG HAD FAILED FM FATIGUE THRU THE THREAD RELIEF UNDERCUT RADIUS. FATIGUE CRACKS HAD INITIATED ON DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE RADIUS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FWD MOUNT CONE BOLTS & SECONDARY SUPPORT CABLE FAILED FROM OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N319AU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-2B7
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22887
- Airframe hours: 12845
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15A 15500 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Usair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 5, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: PHL
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHL, Philadelphia Intl, runway 27L, 10,499 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 956 in this make and model, 8,633 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL

## 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 19871205079069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871205079069I), Dec 5, 1987: Boeing 7372B7, Deptford, NJ, Minor damage. Right engine departed aircraft during climb to cruise. Forward and aft cone bolts failed. Bolts loose prior 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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