# NTSB BFO90FA017: Douglas DC-10, N109AA, Baltimore, MD, January 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1990, 00:07 local (05:07 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.169322, -76.669181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1693&lon=-76.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 7 minor, 247 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA017

## Probable cause

INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EVACUATION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - overtemperature (cause)
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - smoke (contributing factor)
- Hazardous materials leak/spill, descent - emergency
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - evacuation - intentional

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N109AA-1995-10-13), registration cancelled 1995-10-13, S/N 46509 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-10
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-10) (registry code 3022110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46509
- Engines: GE CF6-6 40000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: DFW, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: LGA, NEW YORK, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BWI, Baltimore-Washington, runway 28, 9,452 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,506 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900102066289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900102066289A), Jan 2, 1990: Doug DC1010, Baltimore, MD. Smoke on flight deck. Diverted but evacuatation injuries. Air conditioning pack overheated. Oil residue burned.

## Other investigations on N109AA (3)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW86IA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86IA078), May 7, 1986: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (N109AA), Dallas/Ftw Apt, TX, incident, no damage
- [NTSB DEN81FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA065), Sep 7, 1981: Douglas DC-10 (N109AA), Salt Lake City, UT, no damage, 1 fatal
- [NTSB NYC76AN028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76AN028), Aug 25, 1975: Douglas DC-10 (N109AA), Jamaica, NY, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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