On October 3, 1982, a Boeing 727-225A (registration N817EA) operated by Eastern Airlines Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Kenner, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to depart with a tailwind exceeding allowable limits, which resulted in late rotation and insufficient climb performance during the initial departure phase. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft departed with a tailwind exceeding limits, rotating late at the threshold and overrunning the runway, striking two people in a nearby parking lot.
What happened
The pilot initiated takeoff with a tailwind component that exceeded the allowable limit for the aircraft. During the ground roll, rotation was not achieved until the aircraft had reached the departure end of the runway. The aircraft lifted off approximately 1330 feet beyond the departure threshold, reaching an estimated altitude of only 25 to 30 feet above ground level.
Upon clearing the runway environment, the aircraft struck two individuals who were standing in a nearby parking lot. Both persons were knocked to the ground by the impact. The specific damage to the aircraft and the condition of the individuals are not detailed in the available source text.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to depart with a tailwind exceeding allowable limits, which resulted in late rotation and insufficient climb performance during the initial departure phase.
