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NTSB Report
August 10, 1989 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40 · N133JC
Denver, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (254 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40
Tail Number
N133JC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DCA89IA066
WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 38,000 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED FAN BLADE SEPARATION IN THE NO. 2 ENGINE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE FIRST-STAGE COMPRESSOR FAN BLADES (S/N EB2506) HAD SEPARATED ABOUT 8 INCHES ABOVE THE BLADE PLATFORM. FRAGMENTS FROM THE BLADE (#8) HAD EXITED THROUGH THE LEFT FAN COWL IN THREE PLACES AND HAD PENETRATED THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. THE BLADE SEPARATION STEMMED FROM A 0.34-INCH LONG FATIGUE CRACK THAT BEGAN IN A WELD ADJACENT TO A PATCH. THE FAN BLADE HAD BEEN PATCH-REPAIRED EARLIER, AND SUBJECTED TO FOUR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTS: X-RAY, FLUORESCENT PENETRANT, ULTRASONIC, AND EDDY CURRENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FAILURE AND SEPARATION OF A FIRST-STAGE COMPRESSOR FAN BLADE.
Full Narrative
WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 38,000 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED FAN BLADE SEPARATION IN THE NO. 2 ENGINE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE FIRST-STAGE COMPRESSOR FAN BLADES (S/N EB2506) HAD SEPARATED ABOUT 8 INCHES ABOVE THE BLADE PLATFORM. FRAGMENTS FROM THE BLADE (#8) HAD EXITED THROUGH THE LEFT FAN COWL IN THREE PLACES AND HAD PENETRATED THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. THE BLADE SEPARATION STEMMED FROM A 0.34-INCH LONG FATIGUE CRACK THAT BEGAN IN A WELD ADJACENT TO A PATCH. THE FAN BLADE HAD BEEN PATCH-REPAIRED EARLIER, AND SUBJECTED TO FOUR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTS: X-RAY, FLUORESCENT PENETRANT, ULTRASONIC, AND EDDY CURRENT.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time18:18 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40
Tail NumberN133JC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D-20J · Turbofan
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (254 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured254
Total254
Crew 1Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightNr
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0