# NTSB NYC91FA125: Boeing 727-100QC, N425EX, Windsor Locks, CT, May 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1991, 05:53 local (09:53 UTC)
- Place: Windsor Locks, CT
- Location: 41.9390° N, 72.6843° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRADLEY INTL (BDL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9390&lon=-72.6843&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA125

## Probable cause

A CATASTROPHIC AND UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NO.3 ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN A FUEL FED FIRE.

## 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
  - 1 engine - failure,total (cause)
  - compressor assembly,rotor disc - failure,total (cause)
- Fire, takeoff - aborted
  - fuel system,line - penetrated
  - fluid,fuel - leak

## Analysis

N425EX WAS ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL WHEN THE FLIGHTCREW EXPERIENCED A 'THUMP' THAT RESOUNDED THROUGH THE AIRPLANE. THEY ALSO OBSERVED ERRATIC ENGINE INDICATIONS FROM THE NO.3 ENGINE. THE CAPTAIN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND STOPPED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON THE NO.3 ENGINE AFTER THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH THE AIRPLANE'S FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE NO.3 ENGINE REVEALED THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR DISK HAD FAILED DUE TO A FATIGUE CRACK THAT ORIGINATED FROM A CORROSION PIT. THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE DISK PENETRATED THE ENGINE NACELLE AND SEVERED THE MAIN FUEL LINE FOR THE ENGINE. THE FUEL IGNITED AND BURNED INTO THE FUSELAGE, IGNITING THE 12,600 LBS OF CARGO (U.S. MAIL).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N425EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N425EX-1993-04-02), registration cancelled 1993-04-02, S/N 19095 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-100QC
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-22C](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-22c) (registry code 138400F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19095
- Airframe hours: 46981
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B 15000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Ryan International Airlines
- Registered owner: First Security Bank Of Utah
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 18, 1991, 151 hours before
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BDL, Bradley International, runway 33, 6,846 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,500 total, 3,600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDL, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910503013979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910503013979A), May 3, 1991: Boeing 727100, Windsor Locks, CT, Substantial damage. Catastrophic and uncontained blow up NR3 engine on takeoff. Aborted. Fire burned mail. High pressure disk 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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