McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 – N129AA

Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 27 June 1985

Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10

Owner/operator: American Airlines

Registration Number: N129AA

Location: San Juan-Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) – ÿ Puerto Rico

Phase of Flight: Take off

Status: Substantial, repaired

Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 270

Component Affected: Landing GearLanding Gear

Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB

Category: Accident

An aircraft incident occurred following landing at San Juan. The aircraft was towed to gate 15 and loaded for the next flight. A push-back maneuver resulted in taxiing to a general aviation parking area and a turn to runway 08 before departure. The wind was 160ø at 11 knots, and the takeoff roll experienced a rapid increase in rumble and vibration, reaching approximately 141 knots. The captain rejected takeoff using maximum braking, angling the aircraft to a safe lagoon location due to obstacles, trees, water, aircraft attitude, and a disarming. Only four emergency slides were deployed. A lab analysis revealed a tire failure due to low inflation, likely caused by Foreign Object Damage (FOD). The failure of the companion tire also contributed to the loss of pressure. Taxiway black marks indicated tire pressure loss while taxiing. The incident was likely caused by a combination of factors including landing gear, tire failure, total loss, and a combination of contributing factors related to terrain conditions, approach light/navigation aid, and the overall aircraft attitude.An aircraft incident occurred following landing at San Juan. The aircraft was towed to gate 15 and loaded for the next flight. A push-back maneuver resulted in taxiing to a general aviation parking area and a turn to runway 08 before departure. The wind was 160ø at 11 knots, and the takeoff roll experienced a rapid increase in rumble and vibration, reaching approximately 141 knots. The captain rejected takeoff using maximum braking, angling the aircraft to a safe lagoon location due to obstacles, trees, water, aircraft attitude, and a disarming. Only four emergency slides were deployed. A lab analysis revealed a tire failure due to low inflation, likely caused by Foreign Object Damage (FOD). The failure of the companion tire also contributed to the loss of pressure. Taxiway black marks indicated tire pressure loss while taxiing. The incident was likely caused by a combination of factors including landing gear, tire failure, total loss, and a combination of contributing factors related to terrain conditions, approach light/navigation aid, and the overall aircraft attitude.

Description

After landing at San Juan, the aircraft was parked at the customs area, then was towed to gate 15 and loaded for the next flight. The push-back was such that the crew had to taxi to the general aviation parking area and turn around before proceeding to runway 08 for departure. When cleared for takeoff, the wind was from 160 deg at 11 gusting 22 knots. At aprx 120 knots on the takeoff roll, a loud rumbling sound occurred which increased rapidly, then the aircraft began to vibrate. At approx. the V1 speed of 141 knots, the captain rejected the takeoff using maximum braking. Unable to stop on the remaining runway, he angled the aircraft to the safest area. The aircraft stopped with its nose in a lagoon. Due to trees, water, aircraft attitude and one accidental disarming, only 4 of 8 emergency slides were used. A lab analysis indicated that the #7 tire had failed due to low inflation, most likely from FOD. During the abort, its companion tire failed from overload. Black marks on the taxiway revealed the #7 tire started losing pressure while the aircraft was taxiing. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: LANDING GEAR,TIRE..FOREIGN OBJECT LANDING GEAR,TIRE..LEAK LANDING GEAR,TIRE..FAILURE,TOTAL Contributing Factors: OBJECT..APPROACH LIGHT/NAVAID TERRAIN CONDITION..ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN CONDITION..WATER,ROUGH