Narrative:Texas International Flight 987, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-14, crashed after rejecting a takeoff from runway 8R at Denver-Stapleton
International Airport, Colorado. The takeoff was rejected when the stall warning stickshaker activated after the aircraft had rotated
for takeoff. When the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft within the confines of the runway, it overran the runway, traversed drainage ditches, struck approach light stanchions, and stopped.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A malfunction of the stall warning system, for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a false stall warning and an unsuccessful attempt to reject the take-off after the aircraft had accelerated beyond refusal and rotation speed.
The decision to reject the take-off although not consistent with standard operating procedures and training, was reasonable in this instant case, based upon the unusual circumstances in which the crew found themselves, the minimal time available for decision, and the crew's judgment concerning a potentially catastrophic situation."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 years | Accident number: | NTSB/AAR-77-10 | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Rejected takeoff
Runway excursion
Sources:
» NTSB Safety Recommendations A-77-16
» NTSB/SIR-90/02 (4)
» NTSB-AAR-77-10
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 6 Safety Recommendations
Issued: 15-APR-1977 | To: | A-77-16 |
AMEND 14 CFR 139.45 TO REQUIRE, AFTER A REASONABLE DATE, THAT EXTENDED RUNWAY SAFETY AREA CRITERIA BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY TO ALL CERTIFICATED AIRPORTS. AT THOSE AIRPORTS WHICH CANNOT MEET THE FULL CRITERIA, THE EXTENDED RUNWAY SAFETY AREA SHOULD BE AS CLOSE TO THE FULL 1,000-FOOT LENGTH AS POSSIBLE. (Closed - Unacceptable Action) |
Issued: 15-APR-1977 | To: | A-77-17 |
EXPEDITE THE RETROFIT OF ALS STRUCTURES WITH FRANGIBLE MATERIALS AND FITTINGS BY ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDINGS OR BY INCREASING THE PRIORITY OF THE EXISTING PROGRAM SO THAT IT CAN BE COMPLETED WITHIN 3 TO 5 YEARS. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 11-MAY-1977 | To: | A-77-26 |
REQUIRE THAT THE EMERGENCY EVACUATION TRAINING PROGRAM OF ALL DC-9 OPERATORS COMPLY WITH THE INTENT OF 14 CFR 121.417, SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARD TO TRAINING IN THE OPERATION OF THE TAIL CONE EXIT. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 11-MAY-1977 | To: | A-77-27 |
INSURE THAT SAFETY INFORMATION, WHICH IS DEVELOPED AND DISSEMINATED AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE, RECEIVES THE PROPER ATTENTION FROM PRINCIPAL AIR CARRIER INSPECTORS AND OPERATORS OF SIMILAR EQUIPMENT AND THAT THEY COMPLY WITH DIRECTIVES RELATED TO SUCH INFORMATION. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 11-MAY-1977 | To: | A-77-28 |
ISSUE AN AIR CARRIER OPERATIONS BULLETIN CLARIFYING THE DESIGNATION OF THE DC-9 TAIL CONE EXIT AS A REQUIRED EXIT AND REQUIRING THAT PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS INSPECTORS ASSIGNED TO DC-9 OPERATORS INSURE THAT THEIR ASSIGNED AIR CARRIERS PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS IN THEIR PASSENGER BRIEFINGS AND ON THEIR PASSENGER INFORMATION CARDS ON THE AVAILABILITY AND OPERATION OF THE TAIL CONE EXIT AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
Issued: 11-MAY-1977 | To: | A-77-29 |
ISSUE AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO REQUIRE THAT AN EMERGENCY LIGHT SOURCE BE LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE DC-9 TAIL CONE RELEASE HANDLE OR THAT THE HANDLE BE SELF-ILLUMINATING. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
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Photos
accident date:
16-11-1976type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-14
registration: N9104
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 Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Houston-Intercontinental Airport, TX as the crow flies is 1383 km (864 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.