1990-01-18: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 — Philadelphia, PA

Casualties unknown • Philadelphia, PA, US

Probable cause

THE FLIGHT CREW OF EAL121 TAKING OFF ON A TAXIWAY. CONTRIBUTING WAS FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT CREW OF EAL 121 TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING TAXI AND TAKEOFF.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE DC 9 WAS OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF ON A TAXIWAY BY PERSONNEL IN THE CONTROL TOWER. THE TAKEOFF WAS CORROBORATED BY RADAR DATA FROM THE AIRPORT AND A READOUT OF THE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER. THE TAKEOFF OCCURRED JUST PRIOR TO THE START OF CIVIL TWILIGHT IN THE MORNING. THE RUNWAY HAS WHITE CENTERLINE MARKINGS, WHITE EDGE LIGHTING, AND WHITE MARKINGS. THE TAXIWAY HAD YELLOW MARKINGS AND GREEN CENTERLINE LIGHTING. THE CAPTAIN SAID HE REMEMBERED WHITE CENTERLINE LIGHTING. THE COPILOT SAID HE SAW THE CENTERLINE LIGHTS AND BELIEVED THEY WERE WHITE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-01-18 Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 accident near Philadelphia, PA?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-01-18 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51, registration N405EA, at Philadelphia, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FLIGHT CREW OF EAL121 TAKING OFF ON A TAXIWAY. CONTRIBUTING WAS FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT CREW OF EAL 121 TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING TAXI AND TAKEOFF.

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