# NTSB SEA84IA168: Boeing B-737-222, N9015U, Portland, OR, July 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1984, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.579395, -122.909172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5794&lon=-122.9092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 71 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84IA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84IA168

## 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
  - auxiliary power unit - foreign object damage (cause)
  - auxiliary power unit - failure,total
  - auxiliary power unit - leak
  - auxiliary power unit - overtemperature
- Fire, climb - to cruise

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 4000 FT WHEN THE APU FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FLT CREW DISCHARGED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHING UNITS & REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. A TEARDOWN OF THE APU REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT A HARD OBJECT WAS INJESTED INTO THE 1ST STAGE COMPRESSOR IMPELLER, BENDING 2 OF THE BLADES. THE OBJECT CONTINUED THRU THE ENG & IMPACTED THE EXDUCER BLADE. THE BLADE FAILED AT A CRACK & PENETRATED THE EXHAUST PIPE ASSEMBLY. HOT GASES THEN VENTED INTO THE COOLING AIR PASSAGE & OVERHEATED THE TAIL CONE & AFT PORTION OF THE APU.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9015U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9015U-1998-09-17), registration cancelled 1998-09-17, S/N 19053 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B-737-222 (B737-222)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-222) (registry code 1384473) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19053
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17 16000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: SAN, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 10 nm away

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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