Aviation Crash Map

McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 N14075

11 April 2004 · Atlantic Ocean, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 11 April 2004 at about 02:58 local time, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 registered N14075 was involved in an accident near Atlantic Ocean, United States. 252 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 02:58
Classification
Accident
Location
Atlantic Ocean, United States
Coordinates
37.6356, -72.8607
Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30
Registration
N14075
Category
Airplane
Engines
3
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Public Use
Purpose of flight
Public Use
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Naples → Norfolk
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Night
NTSB number
NYC04TA103

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
252 0 0 0 252

Probable cause

The failure of the number two upper forward right engine cowling attachment, which resulted in substantial damage to the right inboard elevator. A factor was the inadequate procedures in the airliner maintenance manual.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight, the crewmembers heard a "bang" from the rear of the cabin, and the airplane momentarily shuddered and bounced. After landing uneventfully at their destination airport, the crewmembers observed that the number two right engine cowling had separated and struck the right inboard elevator. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the engine cowling upper forward hinge required three bolts. However, only one bolt remained attached, and there was no evidence that the other two bolts tore away during flight. Fretting was observed in the area of the bolt holes, consistent with an oscillation over a period of time, due to the absence of two bolts. The airliner maintenance manual required a general inspection of the area, but did not specifically mention cowling hinge bolts. In addition, the hinges were located in an area that was not easily accessible to maintenance personnel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other McDonnell Douglas DC-10 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
12 Oct 2003 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10
N375FE
Denver, Colorado, United States - No injuries -
1 Jul 2005 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30
S2-ADN
Chittagong, Bangladesh
no coordinates
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27 Apr 2002 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40F
N141WE
San Salvador, El Salvador
no coordinates
Centurion Air Cargo, Inc. No injuries -
22 Mar 2002 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30
N234NW
Int'l Waters
no coordinates
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17 Nov 2006 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F
N305FE
Baranquilla, Colombia
no coordinates
- Unknown -
10 Aug 2002 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10
N388FE
Tampa, Florida, United States - No injuries -

All 92 records for this type

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All 170,864 records in United States