1994-03-02: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-82 — Continental Airlines

1994-03-02: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-82 — Continental Airlines — Flushing, NY

Casualties unknown • Flushing, NY, US

Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHTCREW TO COMPLY WITH CHECKLIST PROCEDURES TO TURN ON AN OPERABLE PITOT/STATIC HEAT SYSTEM, RESULTING IN ICE AND/OR SNOW BLOCKAGE OF THE PITOT TUBES THAT PRODUCED ERRONEOUS AIRSPEED INDICATIONS, AND THE FLIGHTCREW'S UNTIMELY RESPONSE TO ANOMALOUS AIRSPEED INDICATIONS WITH THE CONSEQUENT REJECTION OF TAKEOFF AT AN ACTUAL SPEED OF 5 KNOTS ABOVE V1. (NTSB REPORT AAR-95/01)

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY DURING A REJECTED TAKEOFF, COMING TO REST ON A DIKE AND A TIDAL MUD FLAT. FDR DATA CONFIRMED THAT THE PITOT HEAT HAD NOT BEEN SELECTED 'ON' BY THE FLIGHTCREW. A BUILDUP OF SNOW AND/OR ICE IN THE PITOT/STATIC SYSTEM TUBES AND PORTS RESULTED IN ERRONEOUS AIRSPEED READINGS DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. SUBSTANTIAL DEVIATIONS FROM CHECKLIST PROCEDURES WERE RECORDED ON THE CVR. 19 SECONDS ELAPSED BETWEEN THE TIME THAT THE AIRPLANE ACTUALLY ACCELERATED THROUGH 60 KIAS (THE FIRST MARK ON THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR) AND THE START OF THE REJECTED TAKEOFF.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-03-02 Mcdonnell Douglas MD-82 accident near Flushing, NY?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-03-02 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas MD-82, registration N18835, operated by Continental Airlines, at Flushing, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHTCREW TO COMPLY WITH CHECKLIST PROCEDURES TO TURN ON AN OPERABLE PITOT/STATIC HEAT SYSTEM, RESULTING IN ICE AND/OR SNOW BLOCKAGE OF THE PITOT TUBES THAT PRODUCED ERRONEOUS AIRSPEED INDICATIONS, AND THE FLIGHTCREW'S UNTIMELY RESPONSE TO ANOMALOUS AIRSPEED INDICATIONS WITH THE CONSEQUENT…

Loading the flight search…