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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 23, 1992 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC 10-10 · N1845U

San Francisco, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 23, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (235 uninjured)
Location
San Francisco, CA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC 10-10
Tail Number
N1845U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX92IA397

A MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT COMPANY DC 10 SERIES 10 AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 1 ENGINE WHILE IN THE CRUISE CLIMB. THE ENGINE HAD SUSTAINED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE 14TH THROUGH 16TH STAGE COMPRESSOR SPOOL. ABOUT 11 YEARS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THE SPOOL WAS DAMAGED BEYOND MAINTENANCE MANUAL LIMITS. THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF A 360 DEGREE RUB ON THE AFT RIM SURFACE (SURFACE Q) OF THE 16TH STAGE COMPRESSOR. THE SPOOL WAS PLACED IN STORAGE FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN RETURNED TO SERVICE AFTER BEING REPAIRED. FLIGHT PROFILE STRESSES WERE ANALYZED BY ENGINE MANUFACTURER. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, PEAK STRESSES IN THE AFT RIM REGION OR SURFACE Q OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME IN THE FLIGHT PROFILE AS THE UNCONTAINED FAILURE.

Full Narrative

A MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT COMPANY DC 10 SERIES 10 AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 1 ENGINE WHILE IN THE CRUISE CLIMB. THE ENGINE HAD SUSTAINED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE 14TH THROUGH 16TH STAGE COMPRESSOR SPOOL. ABOUT 11 YEARS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THE SPOOL WAS DAMAGED BEYOND MAINTENANCE MANUAL LIMITS. THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF A 360 DEGREE RUB ON THE AFT RIM SURFACE (SURFACE Q) OF THE 16TH STAGE COMPRESSOR. THE SPOOL WAS PLACED IN STORAGE FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN RETURNED TO SERVICE AFTER BEING REPAIRED. FLIGHT PROFILE STRESSES WERE ANALYZED BY ENGINE MANUFACTURER. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, PEAK STRESSES IN THE AFT RIM REGION OR SURFACE Q OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME IN THE FLIGHT PROFILE AS THE UNCONTAINED FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:22 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC 10-10
Tail NumberN1845U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-6D · Turbofan · 40000
Seats287

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (235 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured235
Total235
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data