# NTSB Accident DCA89MA027
> **BOEING 747-122** · 1989-02-24 · HONOLULU, HI, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** DCA89MA027
- **Event ID:** 20001213X27705
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1989-02-24
- **Location:** HONOLULU, HI, USA
- **Coordinates:** 21.270326, -157.819931
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 9
- **Serious:** 5
- **Minor:** 33
- **Uninjured:** 309
- **Total aboard:** 356
## Aircraft
- **Make:** BOEING
- **Model:** 747-122
- **Registration:** N4713U
- **FAR Part:** 121
- **Engines:** 4
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

THE SUDDEN OPENING OF THE IMPROPERLY LATCHED FORWARD LOBE CARGO DOOR IN FLIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSIVE DECOMPRESSION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DEFICIENCY IN THE DESIGN OF THE CARGO DOOR LOCKING MECHANISMS, WHICH MADE THEM SUSCEPTIBLE TO INSERVICE DAMAGE, AND WHICH ALOWED THE DOOR TO BE UNATCHED, YET TO SHOW A PROPERLY LATCHED AND LOCKED POSITION. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE CARGO DOOR BY UNITED AIRLINES, AND A LACK OF TIMELY CORRECTIVE ACTIONS BY BOEING AND THE FAA FOLLOWING A PREVIOUS DOOR OPENING INCIDENT.

---
*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=DCA89MA027) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*