# NTSB SEA90IA161: Boeing 727-224, N69735, Belgrade, MT, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 09:08 local (15:08 UTC)
- Place: Belgrade, MT
- Coordinates: 45.810203, -111.150451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8102&lon=-111.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 157 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90IA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90IA161

## Probable cause

THE MALFUNCTION OF THE STARTER CONTROL VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - bleed air system,valve - open (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Fire, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF A FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE NUMBER 3 ENGINE. THE FLIGHT CREW PERFORMED THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND RETURNED FOR LANDING. AFTER LANDING, FIRE CREWS EXTINGUISHED THE STILL BURNING FIRE THAT WAS CONFINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE STARTER EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FAILURE. THE STARTER CONTROL VALVE WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69735](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69735-2011-07-29), registration cancelled 2011-07-29, S/N 20664, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-224
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-224](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-224) (registry code 1384076) (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: 20664
- Airframe hours: 48235
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Continental Airlines
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 10, 1990, 9 hours before
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BZN, Gallatin Fld, runway 12, 4,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 14,000 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZN

## 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 19900812065479I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900812065479I), Aug 12, 1990: Boeing 727224, Bozeman, MT, Minor damage. Lost power NR3 engine and fire light. Use fire bottles. Dumped fuel. Returned. Starter exducer turbine pin failed.

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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