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October 14, 1994 · Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11 · N1758B

Dfw Airport, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 14, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Dfw Airport, TX
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11
Tail Number
N1758B
Operator
U S Africa Airways
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
FTW95IA023

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A RIGHT ROLL AND YAW. THE CREW ARRESTED THE YAW AND ROLL AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. FOLLOWING THE LANDING, AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT HAND SPOILER CONTROL ARM HAD BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE RIGHT AILERON CABLE BUS GUARD. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE AILERON BUS GUARD AND A REVIEW OF THE ENGINEERING DRAWINGS REVEALED THAT THE CABLE BUS GUARD HAD BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY (REVERSED 180 DEGREES FROM THE CORRECT INSTALLATION).

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY UNKNOWN PERSONS RESULTING IN A JAMMED SPOILER. A FACTOR WAS THE REVERSED AILERON FITTING.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 1994, at 2131 central daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, N1758B, experienced a flight control malfunction during takeoff at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, (DFW) Texas. The airplane, owned by American Airlines, Inc., and operated by U. S. Africa Airways, was departing on a ferry flight to Washington's Dulles Airport. An IFR flight plan was filed and in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither of the two crewmembers were injured. According to the crew, they experienced a right roll and yaw at liftoff. They were able to control the adverse control effects and elected to return to the airport where an uneventful landing was made. As the airplane was taxiing to the maintenance hangar, maintenance personnel noticed that spoiler numbers 1, 4, and 5, were deployed on the right wing. Prior to this flight a "B" check had been completed on the airplane during which a left hand aileron tension regulator had been removed and replaced. Post- incident inspection revealed that the right hand spoiler control arm had become entangled in the right aileron cable bus guard. It was determined that the cable guard had been installed backwards following the aileron cable maintenance. Repeated attempts to obtain a Pilot/Operator report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was unsuccessful due to the company going out of business.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:31 CDT
Nearest AirportDfw Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length11388 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas MD-11
Tail NumberN1758B
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorU S Africa Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF680C2D-1F · Turbofan · 62504
Seats240

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind330° @ 18 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 27 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data