1972 United Airlines 737-200 crash Chicago USA. Spoilers still deployed
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1972 United Airlines 737-200 crash Chicago USA. Spoilers still deployed
On 8 December 1972 a United Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed into a residential area 1.5 miles from Runway 31L during a non-precision approach. Nowadays we call it a 2D approach. The aircraft was observed below the overcast in a nose-high attitude and with the sound of high engine power just before it crashed into structures on the ground.
It was believed the aircraft was in the landing configuration but with the spoilers still deployed after a deceleration which caused the aircraft to stall
The NTSB determined the cause was "the Captain's failure to exercise positive flight management during the execution of the non-precision approach, which culminated in a critical deterioration of airspeed into the stall regime where level flight would no longer be maintained."
3 of the 6 crew, 40 of the 55 passengers and 2 people on the ground were killed.
Description of the accident; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...nes_Flight_553
NTSB report:
http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online...s/AAR73-16.pdf
It was believed the aircraft was in the landing configuration but with the spoilers still deployed after a deceleration which caused the aircraft to stall
The NTSB determined the cause was "the Captain's failure to exercise positive flight management during the execution of the non-precision approach, which culminated in a critical deterioration of airspeed into the stall regime where level flight would no longer be maintained."
3 of the 6 crew, 40 of the 55 passengers and 2 people on the ground were killed.
Description of the accident; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...nes_Flight_553
NTSB report:
http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online...s/AAR73-16.pdf
Whilst we are blessed with quite a few modern safety enhancements that limit the possibility of this scenario happening (certainly in the aircraft I'm flying), it still behooves one to leave their hand on the spoiler lever whenever they are deployed. And, to put it back there if you momentarily need your hand to do something else...
