Page:NTSB Aircraft Accident Report, United Airlines Flight 389.pdf/26

 A special investigation was conducted at New York to review the pre-takeoff activities of the crew and passengers and the activities of the ground servicing personnel. No evidence was discovered which could be related to this accident.

1.15

As a part of this and other B-727 investigations a special study group reviewed the flight characteristics and applicable aerodynamic data of the B-727. One of the areas of investigation of this study was an evaluation of the pilots response to the question "have you ever experienced altimeter lag or sticking, particularly after descent from high altitude, at high rate, with aircraft cold soaked and entering weather conditions of high moisture content at the lower altitudes." The affirmative comments on altimeter sticking or jumping which were received in reply to this question were associated with altitudes above 20,000 feet. None of the pilots questioned reported any difficulty with erroneous altimeter readings at altitudes below 20,000 feet.

This group also reviewed the pilot training program with regard to information disseminated to the flight crews regarding the flight characteristics of the aircraft. The results of this study disclosed no evidence of any design or performance deficiency and pilots were generally pleased with the flight characteristics of the aircraft and they had experienced no major difficulties in the operation of the aircraft. All of the air carrier training and operations manuals reviewed stressed the fact that high rates of descent close to the surface of the earth should be avoided.