Narrative:
The aircraft departed Dayton, Ohio on a flight to San Jose, California. While in cruise flight at Flight Level 310, 20 miles west of Denver, Colorado, the flight encountered severe clear air turbulence which caused major fluctuations in speed and oscillations in both pitch and roll. During these departures from controlled flight, the number one engine and 5.79 m (19 feet) of the leading edge of the left wing separated from the aircraft. In addition, the number four engine pylon cracked and experienced substantial structural damage. The flight conducted a precautionary descent and landed at Stapleton International Airport, Denver, Colorado. Preceding the occurrence, the flight was encountering light to occasionally moderate chop, with moderate to severe turbulence forecast.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "An encounter with severe clear air turbulence."
Engine separation
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 9 December 1992 |
| Time: | 08:00 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-8-52F |
| Operator: | Connie Kalitta Services |
| Registration: | N810CK |
| MSN: | 45814/258 |
| First flight: | 1966 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 32283 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | 32 km (20 mls) W of Denver, CO ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Dayton Airport, OH (DAY/KDAY), United States of America |
| San Jose Municipal Airport, CA (SJC/KSJC), United States of America |
The aircraft departed Dayton, Ohio on a flight to San Jose, California. While in cruise flight at Flight Level 310, 20 miles west of Denver, Colorado, the flight encountered severe clear air turbulence which caused major fluctuations in speed and oscillations in both pitch and roll. During these departures from controlled flight, the number one engine and 5.79 m (19 feet) of the leading edge of the left wing separated from the aircraft. In addition, the number four engine pylon cracked and experienced substantial structural damage. The flight conducted a precautionary descent and landed at Stapleton International Airport, Denver, Colorado. Preceding the occurrence, the flight was encountering light to occasionally moderate chop, with moderate to severe turbulence forecast.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "An encounter with severe clear air turbulence."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
TurbulenceEngine separation
Forced landing on runway
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Dayton Airport, OH to San Jose Municipal Airport, CA as the crow flies is 3241 km (2026 miles).
Distance from Dayton Airport, OH to San Jose Municipal Airport, CA as the crow flies is 3241 km (2026 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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