ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 N8961E Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL)

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Accident description

Last updated: 23 May 2013

Status:	Final
Date:	18 MAY 1972
Time:	15:21 EDT
Type:	McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Operator:	Eastern Air Lines
Registration:	N8961E
C/n / msn:	45870/332
First flight:	1968
Engines:	2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7B
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL) (United States of America)
Phase:	Landing (LDG)
Nature:	Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America
Destination airport:	Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL/KFLL), United States of America
Flightnumber:	346

Narrative:
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."

Sources:

Official accident investigation report

investigating agency:	National Transport Safety Bureau (NTSB) - USA
report status:	Final
report number:	NTSB/AAR-72-31
report released:	13-DEC-1972
duration of investigation:	209 days (7 months)
download report:	Eastern Air Lines, Inc., DC-9-31, N8961E, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 18, 1972. (NTSB/AAR-72-31)

Follow-up / safety actions

NTSB issued 2 Safety Recommendations

Show all AD's and Safety Recommendations

Photos

Map

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL as the crow flies is 34 km (21 miles).

languages:

Issued: 05-JUL-1972	To:	A-72-224
REEMPHASIZE TO ALL FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS THE NECESSITY FOR TOTAL CREW COORDINATION AND ADHERENCE TO APPROVED PROCEDURES. (Closed - Acceptable Action)
Issued: 05-JUL-1972	To:	A-72-225
INSURE THAT ALL FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY APPRISED OF THE CONTENTS OF AIR CARRIER OPERATIONS BULLETIN 71-9, EMPHASIZING THAT A"NONPRECISION" APPROACH REQUIRES AS MUCH, IF NOT MORE, CREW COORDINATION THAN A "PRECISION" APPROACH BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PRECISE GUIDANCE FROM ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONAL AIDS OUTSIDE THE AIRCRAFT. (Closed - Acceptable Action)