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NTSB Report
January 2, 1990 · Douglas DC-10 · N109AA
Baltimore, MD
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
10 injuries (3 serious injuries, 7 minor injuries), 247 uninjured
Location
Baltimore, MD
Aircraft
Douglas DC-10
Tail Number
N109AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
BFO90FA017
SMOKE ENTERED THE FLIGHT DECK AND CABIN DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO AND LANDED AT BWI. AFTER THE FLIGHT CAME TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY, THE CAPTAIN ORDERED THE EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF THE AIRCRAFT. ALL THE EMERGENCY EXITS WERE USED, EXCEPT THE OVERWING EXITS. WHEN THE OVERWING EXITS WERE DEPLOYED, THEY BLEW OVER THE REAR INSTEAD OF OVER THE FRONT OF THE WING AND WERE DEEMED UNUSABLE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE NO. 1 AIR CONDITIONING MODULE OVERHEATED AND OIL RESIDUE ON IT WAS THE SMOKE SOURCE.
NTSB Probable Cause
INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EVACUATION OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
SMOKE ENTERED THE FLIGHT DECK AND CABIN DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO AND LANDED AT BWI. AFTER THE FLIGHT CAME TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY, THE CAPTAIN ORDERED THE EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF THE AIRCRAFT. ALL THE EMERGENCY EXITS WERE USED, EXCEPT THE OVERWING EXITS. WHEN THE OVERWING EXITS WERE DEPLOYED, THEY BLEW OVER THE REAR INSTEAD OF OVER THE FRONT OF THE WING AND WERE DEEMED UNUSABLE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE NO. 1 AIR CONDITIONING MODULE OVERHEATED AND OIL RESIDUE ON IT WAS THE SMOKE SOURCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:07 EST
Nearest AirportBaltimore-Washington (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length9452 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDouglas DC-10
Tail NumberN109AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-6 · Turbofan · 40000
Seats303
People & Injuries
Injury Summary10 injuries (3 serious injuries, 7 minor injuries), 247 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor7
Uninjured247
Total257
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind280° @ 12 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC