# NTSB CHI88IA003: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40, N157US, Milwaukee, WI, October 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1987, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Milwaukee, WI
- Coordinates: 42.979248, -87.900253 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9792&lon=-87.9003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 132 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88IA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88IA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,exhaust cone/tailpipe(jet engine) - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AFTER EXHAUST CENTERBODY FELL AWAY FROM THE #1 ENGINE DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE CENTERBODY LANDED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO INSPECT THE CENTERBODY AND REPLACE THE CENTERBODY ATTACH BOLTS WITHIN 1000 HOURS OF DATE OF ISSUE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N157US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N157US-2002-10-30), registration cancelled 2002-10-30, S/N 46766, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-40
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-10-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-10-40) (registry code 3023508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt9d-3a) (registry code 52050, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46766
- Engines: P&W JT9D-20 40800 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Northwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Northwest Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 19, 1987, 1,036 hours before
- Destination: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,921 total, 8,659 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19871005079079I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871005079079I), Oct 5, 1987: Doug DC1040, Milwaukee, WI. Tail cone fell off engine on climbout. Returned. Bolts that held cone on had sheared allowing cone to drop off.

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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