How did ONE forgotten checklist item lead to disaster on American Airlines Flight 1420?

The American Airlines Flight 1420 Accident: The Causes and Lessons Learned

On June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420 suffered a catastrophic accident while attempting to land at Little Rock, Arkansas. Despite an experienced flight crew, a combination of bad weather, fatigue, and several missteps led to a tragic crash that resulted in the deaths of 11 people and numerous injuries. This was a shocking event in the history of American Airlines, providing critical lessons on safety, decision-making, and crew management.

Preparation for Flight 1420

Flight 1420 was scheduled to depart from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to Little Rock, Arkansas, a distance of about 500 kilometers. The crew consisted of Captain Richard Bushman and First Officer Michael Argell. Although the crew had extensive experience, several factors began to influence their judgment, leading to a series of unfortunate decisions.

Captain Bushman, 48 years old, had accumulated over 15,000 flight hours, with 11,000 of those hours on the MD-80 series. He was considered one of the most competent pilots at American Airlines, promoted to Chief Pilot for the Chicago base due to his expertise and leadership skills. First Officer Michael Argell, 35 years old, had a background in corporate aviation and the U.S. Navy, with 11,000 flight hours and approximately 3,000 hours on MD-80 aircraft. Both pilots had stellar records and were well-regarded in their respective roles.

As the aircraft prepared for departure, they were already delayed by weather conditions, and they were now under pressure to make it to Little Rock before the weather worsened. Despite their experience, the mounting stress would play a key role in the events that followed.

Severe Weather and Decision to Land in Dangerous Conditions

As Flight 1420 approached Little Rock, the weather conditions began to deteriorate rapidly. Severe thunderstorms were forming, and the wind speeds were increasing. The pilots knew they had to land quickly but were unsure whether the runway conditions would allow for a safe arrival. As they began their descent, they were informed by air traffic control that winds at Little Rock were gusting up to 44 knots (50 mph). The pilots began discussing the limits for crosswinds, realizing they were nearing the safety threshold.

Despite the high winds, the pilots continued with their approach. They discussed the crosswind limits for landing on a wet runway, which, for the MD-80, was 20 knots. At that point, the weather had surpassed this limit, but the crew decided to proceed, possibly underestimating the seriousness of the conditions. Captain Bushman acknowledged the wind conditions but focused on making it to the runway.

As the plane continued its approach, air traffic control offered a visual approach, which meant the pilots could land by sight. However, with clouds still in the sky, the crew chose to use their instruments instead. The weather was rapidly worsening, but the pilots did not divert, believing that they could still manage to land safely.

The Mistake and the Crash

As the aircraft lined up for landing, the weather conditions continued to worsen. Visibility was poor, and the wind was picking up. The pilots continued their approach despite receiving multiple warnings about the weather, including wind shear alerts. By now, the aircraft was descending at a low altitude and was flying through heavy rain, making it increasingly difficult to maintain control. The situation was becoming dire, but the pilots were fixated on completing the landing.

At approximately 11:48 PM, Captain Bushman called for the landing gear to be deployed and the thrust reversers to be activated upon touchdown. However, the high power setting on the thrust reversers blocked airflow to the rudder, making it impossible to steer the aircraft properly. The plane began sliding off the runway, and despite the pilots’ efforts to regain control, the aircraft careened into the airport perimeter fence, crashing into a metal pier.

The crash caused massive damage to the aircraft. The left wing was torn off, and the fuel tanks ruptured, igniting a fire. The aircraft split into three sections, and a thick cloud of smoke filled the cabin. Fortunately, the majority of the passengers were able to evacuate, but four people perished due to smoke inhalation, and the three crew members died on impact.

Investigation and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) quickly launched an investigation into the crash, aiming to determine the exact causes of the accident. The findings pointed to several key factors, primarily the excessive use of reverse thrust during landing. The thrust reversers were engaged at a much higher power setting than recommended, which rendered the rudder ineffective and caused the aircraft to slide off the runway.

Investigators also discovered that the pilots failed to follow the prescribed procedures for landing on a wet runway, particularly in terms of reverse thrust. Captain Bushman had mistakenly applied a power setting far beyond the recommended 1.3 EPR (Engine Pressure Ratio), which resulted in rudder blanking — a phenomenon where the rudder loses its effectiveness due to disrupted airflow.

Further investigation revealed a psychological factor known as "get-there-it-is" — a term used in aviation to describe the pressure pilots feel to complete their journey, even when conditions are unsafe. Both pilots were under significant stress, and despite the worsening weather and increasing limitations, they were determined to land at Little Rock.

Lessons Learned and Changes in Procedures

The crash of Flight 1420 led to significant changes in both pilot training and airline procedures. American Airlines revised its training to ensure that pilots would better recognize the dangers of landing in adverse weather conditions, particularly when wind speeds exceeded safe limits. Additionally, the airline updated its flight operations manual to require pilots to verbally confirm that the spoilers were armed before landing.

The NTSB also recommended that both pilots confirm on approach that the spoilers were armed and that the FAA improve the weather radar systems in aircraft. The study also suggested that reverse thrust EPR limits should be clearly enforced and monitored, especially during landing on wet or slippery runways.

Since the crash of Flight 1420, there has not been another fatal runway excursion in the U.S. The accident led to an increased focus on improving pilot decision-making and managing stress during critical flight phases. This tragedy, while devastating, has had a lasting impact on aviation safety, reducing the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.

Conclusion

The crash of American Airlines Flight 1420 serves as a powerful reminder of how human error, combined with poor weather conditions and a lack of adherence to safety protocols, can lead to disaster. Despite their impressive qualifications and experience, the crew's decisions in this high-pressure situation resulted in a tragic loss of life. However, the lessons learned from this incident have helped improve aviation safety, ensuring that future pilots are better equipped to handle similar circumstances. The memory of Flight 1420 continues to shape how airlines train their crews, making air travel safer for all.