1992-09-20: Lockheed L1011-385 — Delta Airlines — Boston, MA

Casualties unknown • Boston, MA, US

Probable cause

INADEQUATE LUBRICATION WHICH CAUSED STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AND THE SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT WING NUMBER TWO FLAP VANE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 4R, WHEN ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE GLIDE SLOPE WHEN HE FELT A VIBRATION. HE REPORTED THAT THE FLYING CHARACTERISTICS DEGRADED AND HE MADE THE NECESSARY CORRECTION SUCCESSFULLY. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS IN THE COCKPIT OF ANY FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN 2 MINUTES LATER AND TAXIED TO THE GATE WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENCE. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED SEPARATION OF THE NO. 2 FLAP VANE FROM THE RIGHT WING. FURTHER TESTING BY THE NTSB LAB REVEALED THE SEPARATION OCCURRED DUE TO STRESS CORROSION AND FATIGUE CRACKING THAT INITIATED AT THE LUG BORE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-09-20 Lockheed L1011-385 accident near Boston, MA?

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 4R, WHEN ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE GLIDE SLOPE WHEN HE FELT A VIBRATION. HE REPORTED THAT THE FLYING CHARACTERISTICS DEGRADED AND HE MADE THE NECESSARY CORRECTION SUCCESSFULLY. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS IN THE COCKPIT OF ANY FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN 2…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-09-20 involved a Lockheed L1011-385, registration N786DL, operated by Delta Airlines, at Boston, MA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INADEQUATE LUBRICATION WHICH CAUSED STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AND THE SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT WING NUMBER TWO FLAP VANE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15610. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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