Aviation Safety Network

< Home / Aviation Safety Network

Status	Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date	Friday 10 August 1990
Time	14:15 LT
Type	Airbus A320-211
Operator	Northwest Airlines
Registration	N306US
MSN	60
Year of manufature	1989
Engines	CFMI CFM56
Crew	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Passengers	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Total occupants	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 159
Aircraft damage	Minor
Location	Chicago, IL United States of America
Phase	Unknown
Nature	Unknown
Departure Airport	St Paul, MN (KMSP)
Destination Airport	(KORD)
Narrative	ON AUGUST 17, 1990, AT APPROXIMATELY 1415 CDT, WHILE CONDUCTING A WALK AROUND INSPECTION IN PREPARATION FOR A DOMESTIC REVENUE FLIGHT, THE FIRST OFFICER DISCOVERED A FOUR FOOT SCRAPE ON THE AFT BELLY OF AIRBUS A320-211, N306US. THE TAIL STRIKE RENDERED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. NO CREW OR PASSENGERS REPORTED INJURIES. THE EXACT TIME AND PLACE OF THE EVENT WAS NOT VERIFIED. THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT WAS NORTHWEST FLIGHT 132, OPERATING FROM ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AS A PASSENGER REVENUE FLIGHT WITH NINE CREW AND 150 PASSENGERS. Probable Cause: THE PILOT(S) ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROTATE TO AN EXCESSIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, EITHER DURING A TAKEOFF OR LANDING.

WHO WE ARE