Investigation Summary
The accident was initiated by a series of procedural lapses. The crew failed to detect that the rudder trim was set to the full-left position during pre-flight checks. As the aircraft accelerated, it began to drift left. The First Officer, who was the pilot flying, attempted to correct with nose-wheel steering rather than rudder. The Captain took control and initiated a rejected takeoff (RTO) at 130 knots, which was 5 knots above the calculated V1 speed. The late decision to abort, combined with the wet runway and the asymmetrical braking caused by the rudder trim, made it impossible to stop the aircraft within the remaining runway length.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the captain's failure to exercise timely and appropriate command authority, including the failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Contributing factors included the improperly set rudder trim and the crew's failure to detect it during multiple checklists.
Video Analysis
The Crash of USAir Flight 5050 — An analysis of the 1989 LaGuardia runway overrun involving a Boeing 737-400, focusing on cockpit management and the fatal decision to abort after V1.
Watch on YouTube ↗If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Rudder Trim
A control used to adjust the neutral position of the rudder; if misconfigured, it causes the aircraft to yaw significantly.
Nose Wheel Steering
Used for low-speed ground maneuvering; at high speeds, it can cause loss of control if used instead of aerodynamic rudder inputs.
Autobrake
A system designed to provide maximum braking during a rejected takeoff, which was not armed on this flight.
Interesting Facts
- 01The rudder trim was found at the full-left limit (16 degrees).
- 02The Captain did not perform a drug or alcohol test until 10 hours after the crash.
- 03The aircraft was only 10 months old at the time of the accident.
- 04Two passengers were killed when the fuselage broke apart over the pier.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Rudder Trim Control Guard
Boeing issued a service bulletin to install a guard over the rudder trim knob to prevent accidental movement by pilots' feet or flight bags.
CRM Training
Emphasis was placed on sterile cockpit procedures and the critical nature of the V1 'go/no-go' decision.