Hydraulic Fire and Runway Overrun of 22-Year-Old Aircraft

Casualties unknown • Tucson, AZ, US

A fire in the wheel well of a 22-year-old airplane caused total hydraulic system failure, leading to a runway overrun and collision with a concrete structure.

What happened

During the approach phase of flight, a fire erupted within the wheel well of the 22-year-old airplane. The fire burned through the aircraft's hydraulic lines, resulting in the loss of the A, B, and standby hydraulic systems. To manage the descent, the crew utilized the emergency manual reversion flight control system to land the aircraft.

Despite the successful landing, the aircraft could not stop within the confines of the runway. Due to prior failures of the check valves in the backup hydraulic accumulator pressure systems, the #2 thrust reverser and the inboard pair of wheel brakes were non-functional. During a two-minute rollout, the aircraft traveled 14,000 feet, overran the end of the runway, and collided with a concrete structure. The impact caused the collapse of the nose gear. There were no injuries reported.

The investigation

The investigation revealed that the aircraft had recently undergone a 'C' check. During this maintenance period, mechanics failed to identify and repair an electric wire that was chafing against a hydraulic line. On the flight in question, the energized wire arced, puncturing the hydraulic line and igniting the escaping fluid.

Findings

Investigators determined that the failure of the hydraulic check valves, which prevented effective braking and thrust reverser use, was caused by mechanical wear.

Probable cause

The fire was caused by an energized electrical wire arcing and puncturing a hydraulic line due to undetected chafing, while the subsequent runway overrun was caused by the failure of hydraulic check valves due to mechanical wear.

All Boeing 737-800 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-12-31 Boeing 737-204 accident near Tucson, AZ?

A fire in the wheel well of a 22-year-old airplane caused total hydraulic system failure, leading to a runway overrun and collision with a concrete structure.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-12-31 involved a Boeing 737-204, registration N198AW, operated by America West Airlines, Inc., at Tucson, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The fire was caused by an energized electrical wire arcing and puncturing a hydraulic line due to undetected chafing, while the subsequent runway overrun was caused by the failure of hydraulic check valves due to mechanical wear.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29969. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…