1989-07-19: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 — United Airlines — Chicago, IL

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

Probable cause

HYDROPLANING ATTRIBUTED TO THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE AIRPORT PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN THE RUNWAY. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE RAIN AND THE WET RUNWAY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRPLANE HYDROPLANED AFTER LANDING AND RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. RUNWAY INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY GROOVING ALONG THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING ROLL TRACK WAS WORN TO THE POINT TO WHICH IT WAS NONEXISTENT, AND THERE WERE LARGE AREAS OF STANDING WATER ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPORT HAD RECORDED 1.28 INCHES OF RAINFALL DURING THE FOUR HOUR PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE INCIDENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-19 Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 accident near Chicago, IL?

THE AIRPLANE HYDROPLANED AFTER LANDING AND RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. RUNWAY INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RUNWAY GROOVING ALONG THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING ROLL TRACK WAS WORN TO THE POINT TO WHICH IT WAS NONEXISTENT, AND THERE WERE LARGE AREAS OF STANDING WATER ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPORT HAD RECORDED 1.28 INCHES OF…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-07-19 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, registration N1846U, operated by United Airlines, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

HYDROPLANING ATTRIBUTED TO THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE AIRPORT PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN THE RUNWAY. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE RAIN AND THE WET RUNWAY.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28762. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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