NONE · McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F · 2001-01-16 · Seattle, WA, USA
Event
NTSB number
SEA01IA039
Event ID
20010207X00412
Type
Incident
Date
2001-01-16
Location
Seattle, WA, USA
Coordinates
47.479351, -122.290641
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
4
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
McDonnell Douglas
Model
DC-8-71F
Registration
N8084U
FAR Part
121
Engines
4
Damage
—
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
IMC
Probable cause
A malfunctioning relay in the aircraft's flight management system (FMS) switching matrix and associated false "on course" indication on the captain's course deviation indicator (CDI), resulting in proper localizer course alignment not being obtained or maintained and subsequent flight in close proximity to the new control tower. The reason for the reported false "on course" indications on the first officer's CDI was not determined. Factors contributing to the incident included low ceiling and obscuration, weak signal received by both localizer receivers due to faulty BNC connectors, and the new control tower.