On March 22, 1989, a Boeing 727-200A (registration N728) operated by American Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near San Antonio, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The operational error occurred when the ARTCC controller was busy with heavy traffic. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Aircraft registered N728. Photo: Donna Dewhurst / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
American Airlines Flight 1269 and Mexicana Flight 731, both Boeing 727s, came within 1.06 nautical miles of each other at FL290 after one aircraft deviated around weather, breaching minimum horizontal separation. The operational error occurred while the ARTCC controller was managing heavy traffic.
Incident Details
On a routine flight, American Airlines Flight 1269 and Mexicana Airlines Flight 731 were cruising at Flight Level 290 on southerly headings. After deviating around weather, American Airlines Flight 1269 altered its track to a south-southeasterly heading. Subsequently, the two Boeing 727 aircraft converged, coming within approximately 1.06 nautical miles of one another. This distance violated the minimum horizontal separation requirement for aircraft operating under air traffic control.
Cause
The operational error occurred when the ARTCC controller was busy with heavy traffic. No further causal factors were identified in the source material.
Probable cause
The operational error occurred when the ARTCC controller was busy with heavy traffic.
What happened in the 22 Mar 1989 Boeing 727-200A accident near San Antonio, TX?
American Airlines Flight 1269 and Mexicana Flight 731, both Boeing 727s, came within 1.06 nautical miles of each other at FL290 after one aircraft deviated around weather, breaching minimum horizontal separation. The operational error occurred while the ARTCC controller was managing heavy traffic.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Mar 1989 involved a Boeing 727-200A, registration N728, operated by American Airlines, at San Antonio, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The operational error occurred when the ARTCC controller was busy with heavy traffic.
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