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NTSB Report
July 13, 1991 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · N111AA
Los Angeles, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
July 13, 1991
Injury Outcomes
12 injuries (12 minor injuries), 215 uninjured
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10
Tail Number
N111AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX91IA308
DURING FLIGHT, THE #2 ENGINE FIRE DETECTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAPTAIN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. AFTER RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRFIELD, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EMERGENCY SLIDE EVACUATION OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT OR ACTUAL FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE'S FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A SYSTRON DONNER FIRE DETECTOR, PN 4361, HAD FAILED. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 ENGINE'S FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM, SYSTRON DONNER FIRE DETECTOR.
Full Narrative
DURING FLIGHT, THE #2 ENGINE FIRE DETECTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAPTAIN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. AFTER RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRFIELD, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EMERGENCY SLIDE EVACUATION OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT OR ACTUAL FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE'S FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A SYSTRON DONNER FIRE DETECTOR, PN 4361, HAD FAILED. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:08 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles International (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length10285 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10
Tail NumberN111AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-6 · Turbofan · 40000
Seats225
People & Injuries
Injury Summary12 injuries (12 minor injuries), 215 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor12
Uninjured215
Total227
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC