Delta flight 1141 was preparing to
depart Dallas/Ft. Worth airport on the
afternoon of August 31, 1988. The 727
was loaded with 108 people as it lined
up for takeoff on runway 18L.
The takeoff began normally as the
aircraft accelerated down the runway.
Just after the aircraft rotated, it
began to roll and stalled, dropping back
to the ground. It slid along through the
approach lights and came to rest nearly
3/4 mile from the end of the runway. A
fire broke out on impact, killing 14
people.
......The Captain, who survived the
crash, reported that the takeoff was
normal until the point of rotation when
he heard two loud bangs and
deceleration. This was followed by what
he reported as violent rolling. Recovery
of the aircraft's FDR showed that
neither the flaps nor the slats had been
properly configured for takeoff. Because
of this, the aircraft could not generate
enough lift at the normal rotation
airspeed. Readout of the CVR showed that
the crew had been engaged in talk with
the flight attendants prior to takeoff
and had not ever completed the
checklist. Ironically, the crew had even
jokingly told the flight attendants that
they were getting their voices on the
CVR "in case we crash", so that
investigators would have something to
listen to. The aircraft has installed a
system which warns of improper takeoff
configuration, but the system apparently
failed prior to the accident.
Investigators also cited Delta's lack of
proper crew checks and standardization
procedures and the FAA's failure to
enforce them.
