NTSB Identification: LAX85IA206.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 28547.
Scheduled 14 CFR AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
Incident occurred Tuesday, April 16, 1985 in LAS CRUCES, NM
Aircraft: BOEING 727-227, registration: N718AA
Injuries: 89 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various sources and may not have traveled in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft incident report.WHILE CRUISING AT FLT LEVEL 350 IN CLEAR SMOOTH AIR, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD, ACCOMPANIED BY A SEVERE JOLT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CABIN, AS THE NUMBER 3 END SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTS. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FORWARD LAVATORY WAS LEAKING DEODORANT FLUID AND WATER. DEODORANT STAINS EXISTED ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE, & WERE SUBSEQUENTLY IDENTIFIED ON THE NUMBER 3 ENGINE NOSE COWL & INLET NOSE CONE. ALL BUT 6 OF THE FIRST STAGE FAN BLADES WERE RECOVERED AT THE ENG IMPACT SITE, & THESE 6 BLADES WERE LOCATED WITHIN A 180 DEGREE SEGMENT OF THE FAN. LEAKAGE OF THE LAVATORY WASTE DRAIN VALVE WAS THE RESULT OF A DAMAGED 'O' RING SEAL. LEAKAGE OF THE DUMP VALVE WAS THE RESULT OF DISBONDING OF A RUBBER BOOT ON ITS SHAFT.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this incident to be:
WATER AND WASTE SYSTEM..LEAK
Contributing Factors
ENGINE ASSEMBLY..SEPARATION
Contributing Factors
ENGINE INSTALLATION,SUSPENSION MOUNTS..OVERLOAD
Contributing Factors
MAINTENANCE,SERVICE BULLETIN/LETTER..NOT ISSUED..MANUFACTURER
Contributing Factors
INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS/REQUIREMENTS,MANUFACTURER..MANUFACTURER
Contributing Factors
FLUID,WATER..FROZEN
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
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