Casualties unknown

Hydraulic Line Failure Leads to Smoke in Cabin and Evacuation (N452AA)

Flushing, NY, US

On November 9, 2002, a Mcdonnell Douglas MD-82 (registration N452AA) operated by American Airlines Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Flushing, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An inadvertent trauma to the passenger's foot during an emergency evacuation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

After landing, the crew started the APU, and smoke filled the cabin. An emergency evacuation was ordered; a passenger fractured a foot. Investigation found a broken hydraulic line near the APU inlet.

Incident Overview

While the aircraft was stationary on the ramp following landing, the flight crew initiated the auxiliary power unit (APU). Approximately 30 seconds later, smoke began to enter the passenger cabin. In response, the captain directed an emergency evacuation using the aircraft's four evacuation slides. All slides deployed and operated as designed.

Injuries and Damage

During the evacuation, one passenger sustained a fractured bone in her right foot. No other injuries were reported. Subsequent examination of the aircraft revealed a broken hydraulic line. The failure allowed hydraulic fluid to collect in the vicinity of the APU inlet, which was the source of the smoke.

Investigation Findings

The physical inspection identified a rupture in a hydraulic line. The resulting fluid accumulation near the APU intake was consistent with the smoke observed in the cabin. No further causal factors were identified in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021118X05480. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.