Boeing Service Bulletin Addresses Spoiler Deployment Nose-Up Moment After NWA Flight 150 Incident (N508US)

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1986-04-03 involved a Boeing 757-251, registration N508US, operated by Northwest Airline, at Minneapolis, MN.

On April 3, 1986, a Boeing 757-251 (registration N508US) operated by Northwest Airline was involved in an aviation accident near Minneapolis, MN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data API Editorial standards

Aircraft registered N508US. Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During landing, spoiler deployment caused an abrupt nose-up pitch to 10 degrees on NWA Flight 150, resulting in fuselage belly damage. Boeing issued a service bulletin describing the aerodynamic moment and recommending spoiler deployment modification and auto braking.

Incident

The aircraft, registered as N508US and operating as Northwest Airlines Flight 150, experienced an abrupt pitch-up during landing. According to the captain, the flight had been uneventful until the landing phase. Upon touchdown and deployment of the spoilers, the aircraft pitched up suddenly to an attitude of 10 degrees. The landing was completed without further incident.

Aircraft Examination

Post-landing inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the underside of the fuselage belly. No other details regarding the extent or specific location of the damage were provided.