Eastern Airlines Flight 494

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Eastern Airlines Flight 494

Eastern Airlines DC-9-51; similar to the aircraft involved
Details
Date	April 21, 1984
Summary	Inflight thrust reverser deployment
Site	Atlanta, Georgia
Aircraft
Aircraft type	McDonnell Douglas DC-9
Operator	Eastern Airlines
Flight origin	Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Destination	Piedmont Triad International Airport
Fatalities	0
Injuries	0

On April 21, 1984, Eastern Airlines Flight 494 was operating a domestic flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) with a McDonnell-Douglas DC-9. Shortly after takeoff, the flight experienced an uncommanded deployment of reverse thrust on the #2 engine. Flight 494 is one of the few recorded instances of an aircraft recovering safely from unintentional deployment of reverse thrust on one engine during flight.

Flight[]

Shortly after takeoff from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Eastern Airlines Flight 494 experienced an unintended deployment of reverse thrust of the #2 engine. This caused the aircraft to quickly experience an uncontrolled roll to the right. Captain James Robertson and First Officer J.L. Bellmer shut down the #2 engine and were able to regain control of the aircraft while still in a turn, just a few knots before stalling. The crew was then able to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by conducting a standard single-engine landing. At the time, there was no training provided or available for identifying or recovering from an unintentional deployment of reverse thrust.^[1]

From left, F/O J.L. Bellmer and Capt. James Robertson. receiving the Superior Airmanship Award

Investigation[]

The engine reverse thrust systems are activated and deactivated hydraulically.^[2] The hydraulic system controlling the reverse thrust of engine #2 had failed, causing the clam-shell thrust reversers to catch the oncoming airflow, which was strong enough to pull the reverse thrust clam shells out. The safety mechanisms for preventing accidental deployment were also found to be defective.

An unintentional deployment of reverse thrust on one engine during a commercial flight typically results in complete loss of control due to the sudden opposing forces from the engines on each side. However, the crew was able to quickly identify the cause and quickly cut fuel to the engine, eliminating the reverse forces on one side. The aircraft landed safely with one engine operating. First Officer J.L. Bellmer and Captain James Robertson both received the Airline Pilots Association Superior Airmanship award for their efforts in saving the aircraft.

On May 26, 1991, a Boeing 767-300 operating as Lauda Air Flight 004 also experienced an uncommanded reverse thrust deployment while cruising. This cause the aircraft to spin and stall, killing everyone on board.

References[]