# NTSB SEA88IA065: Boeing 727-232, N515DA, Portland, OR, March 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1988, 16:04 local (Mar 21, 1988, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.570098, -122.590087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5701&lon=-122.5901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 78 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88IA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88IA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - door,landing gear - fatigue (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - disabled (cause)
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible
  - wheels up landing - performed

## Analysis

CREW WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR. CREW THEN EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE RIGHT MAIN AND NOSE GEAR WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR DOOR ATTACH FITTING HAD A FATIGUE FRACTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N515DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N515DA-2003-02-13), registration cancelled 2003-02-13, S/N 21431, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-232
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-232) (registry code 1384082) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-9-series) (registry code 52048, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21431
- Airframe hours: 29397
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15A 17000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines, Inc., doing business as Delta Air Lines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 8, 1988, 101 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PDX, Portland Intl, runway 20, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX

## 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 19880320006949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880320006949I), Mar 20, 1988: Boeing 727232, Portland, OR, Minor damage. Unable to extend the left main gear. Landed on remaining gear. Gear door actuating rod end failed due to fatigue.

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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