Accident · 1989-09-20

NTSB case DCA89MA074 · BOEING 737-400 · Part 121

What the record says

Event date: 1989-09-20
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: Fatal injury
Aircraft: BOEING 737-400 (N416US)
Operating rule: Part 121
Operator: USAIR Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): USAIR

Probable cause

THE CAPTAIN'S FAILURE TO EXERCISE HIS COMMAND AUTHORITY IN A TIMELY MANNER TO REJECT THE TAKEOFF OR TAKE SUFFICIENT CONTROL TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF, WHICH WAS INITIATED WITH A MISTRIMMED RUDDER. ALSO CAUSAL WAS THE CAPTAIN'S FAILURE TO DETECT THE MISTRIMMED RUDDER BEFORE THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED.

Source: NTSB case DCA89MA074

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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