Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 18 May 1972
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Owner/operator: Eastern Air Lines
Registration Number: N8961E
Location: Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10
Component Affected: Main gearMain gear
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A DC-9 aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing due to a collapse of the main gear and separation of the tail section. The aircraft subsequently caught fire. The incident was attributed to pilot error ? specifically, the pilot?s decision to initiate an instrument approach in adverse weather conditions ? and a failure to adhere to established operational procedures.A DC-9 aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing due to a collapse of the main gear and separation of the tail section. The aircraft subsequently caught fire. The incident was attributed to pilot error ? specifically, the pilot?s decision to initiate an instrument approach in adverse weather conditions ? and a failure to adhere to established operational procedures.
Description
The DC-9 touched down heavily on runway 09L. The main gear collapsed and the tail section separated. The aircraft caught fire. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The decision of the pilot to initiate and continue an instrument approach under weather conditions which precluded adequate visual reference and the faulty techniques used by the pilot during the landing phase of that approach. The Safety Board also finds that the flight crew’s non-adherence to prescribed operational practices and procedures compromised the safe operation of the flight.”
Primary Cause
Pilot error ? initiating and continuing an instrument approach under adverse weather conditions, resulting in inadequate visual reference and faulty landing technique.Pilot error ? initiating and continuing an instrument approach under adverse weather conditions, resulting in inadequate visual reference and faulty landing technique.Share on:
