Aircrash Investigation....Missed the ending.

[Chilli]

Was watching the above last night about a DC-10 leaving Chicago back in the 70's maybe 80's, when during take-off one of the wing engines literally fell off. The pilots managed to stabilise the plane at first, but 31 seconds later it crashed next to a big trailer park. Anyone seen it? Can you tell me what casued it to go down? I'm assuming the exiting engine smashed into some control surfaces?

Cheers.

[trashbat]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Fli...

[croyde]

Isn't that the one where the pilot's training told him to back off the throttle when doing the opposite would have saved the plane?

[Chilli]

croyde said:

Isn't that the one where the pilot's training told him to back off the throttle when doing the opposite would have saved the plane?

Not sure. Saw the part where they eased off the throttle do reduce the stress on the remaining engines, but maintained the minimum climb level (V2?)

[Chilli]

trashbat said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Fli...

That's excellent, nice work!

[Eric Mc]

Incorrect engine removal ptrocedures by the airline caused fatigue cracks in the retainibng bolts. On rotation, a bolt failed causing the engine to fall off and, more importantly, loss of hydraulics pressure. This caused the leading edge slats on one side of the aircraft to retract which in turn caused the aircraft to roll and crash.

[Chilli]

As croyde mentioned, the pilot backed off. Had he not done this would the left wing still have stalled due to the retraction of the slats? If not, would a safe landing have been possible? Reading the Wiki link above, it seems that the hydrolic fluid would have continued to be lost and then I guess they would have been in a similar position to the Sioux City crash?

[dirkgently]

Chilli said:

Was watching the above last night about a DC-10 leaving Chicago back in the 70's maybe 80's, when during take-off one of the wing engines literally fell off. The pilots managed to stabilise the plane at first, but 31 seconds later it crashed next to a big trailer park. Anyone seen it? Can you tell me what casued it to go down? I'm assuming the exiting engine smashed into some control surfaces?

Cheers.

Dont worry.If you are watching on Discovery it will be on three times a day for the next fortnight.

[Eric Mc]

The main factor was lack of time to diagnose and correct the problem. The Sioux City chaps at least had time to get to grips with the difficulty they faced. The Chicago guys had no time.

[Starfighter]

Eric Mc said:

The main factor was lack of time to diagnose and correct the problem. The Sioux City chaps at least had time to get to grips with the difficulty they faced. The Chicago guys had no time.

...and yet the situation has been programmed in to the DC-10 simulator and to the best of my knowledge no crew as got closer than 50 miles to the runway. One factor that cannot be programmed is the motivation to walk away from the incident.

[Simpo Two]

Starfighter said:

One factor that cannot be programmed is the motivation to walk away from the incident.

I imagine it would focus the mind very well, yes. As opposed to seeing 'Game Over - do you want to play again?'

No miracle button in real life.