1989-07-26: Douglas DC-9-30 — Continental Airlines — Newark, NJ

Casualties unknown • Newark, NJ, US

Probable cause

RUPTURE OF A FLEXIBLE HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC LINE IN THE 'A' HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, DUE TO CHAFING OF THE STEEL BRAID COVERING, WHICH ALLOWED THE SYSTEM PRESSURE AND QUANTITY TO BE COMPLETELY DEPLETED.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE CREW OF CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 354 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF THE LEFT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND STARTED TO LOSE HYDRAULIC QUANTITY FROM THE RIGHT SYSTEM. ANTICIPATING A LOSS OF BOTH SYSTEMS, THE CREW SHUT DOWN BOTH PUMPS AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NEWARK INTL AIRPORT, NJ. THE LANDING WAS NORMAL UNTIL AT 80 KNOTS AIRSPEED, THEN THE LEFT TIRES BLEW OUT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO A HALT 30 FT LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-26 Douglas DC-9-30 accident near Newark, NJ?

THE CREW OF CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 354 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF THE LEFT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND STARTED TO LOSE HYDRAULIC QUANTITY FROM THE RIGHT SYSTEM. ANTICIPATING A LOSS OF BOTH SYSTEMS, THE CREW SHUT DOWN BOTH PUMPS AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NEWARK INTL AIRPORT, NJ. THE LANDING WAS NORMAL UNTIL AT 80…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-07-26 involved a Douglas DC-9-30, registration N556NY, operated by Continental Airlines, at Newark, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

RUPTURE OF A FLEXIBLE HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC LINE IN THE 'A' HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, DUE TO CHAFING OF THE STEEL BRAID COVERING, WHICH ALLOWED THE SYSTEM PRESSURE AND QUANTITY TO BE COMPLETELY DEPLETED.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28949. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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