Accident · 2007-09-28

NTSB case DCA07MA310 · MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-82 (MD-82) · Part 121

What the record says

Event date: 2007-09-28
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: No injuries
Aircraft: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-82 (MD-82) (N454AA)
Operating rule: Part 121
Operator: AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): American Airlines

Probable cause

American Airlines’ maintenance personnel’s use of an inappropriate manual engine start procedure, which led to the uncommanded opening of the left engine air turbine starter valve, and a subsequent left engine fire, which was prolonged by the flight crew’s interruption of an emergency checklist to perform nonessential tasks. Contributing to the accident were deficiencies in American Airlines’ Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System program.

Source: NTSB case DCA07MA310

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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