Casualties unknown

Nosewheel Steering Failure During Taxi After Landing (N416AA)

Baton Rouge, LA, US

On December 11, 1989, a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (registration N416AA) was involved in an aviation accident near Baton Rouge, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE CAPTAIN'S EXCESSIVE SPEED DURING A TURN OFF OF THE RUNWAY, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE WET TAXIWAY WAS A RELATED FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial flight experienced unresponsive nosewheel steering during a taxi turn after landing, causing the aircraft to veer off the taxiway into deep mud.

What happened

Following the completion of the landing roll, the flight crew initiated a 135-degree turn to exit the runway and proceed onto a connecting taxiway. Flight data recorder analysis indicates that this maneuver began at an indicated airspeed of 38 knots. Approximately two-thirds through the execution of the turn, the captain reported that control authority over the nosewheel steering system was lost.

The loss of steering control resulted in the aircraft deviating from the paved surface of the taxiway. The nosewheel entered deep mud, causing the aircraft to come to a rest off the designated path. No further details regarding damage or injuries were provided in the source text.

The investigation

A mechanical inspection was conducted to determine the root cause of the steering failure. Investigators examined the nosewheel steering mechanism and the braking system for any signs of malfunction or structural failure.

The examination revealed that both the nosewheel steering assembly and the brakes were functioning correctly. No mechanical defects or operational issues were identified with these systems during the post-incident inspection.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29957. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.