# NTSB DCA80RA003: Douglas DC-10, N903WA, Mexico City, Mexico, October 31, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 31, 1979
- Place: Mexico City, Mexico · MEXICO CITY, Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 72 fatal, 13 serious, 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA80RA003
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79687
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA80RA003

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-0026  79/10/31   MEXICO CITY,MEX     DOUGLAS DC-10       CR- 11  0  2  SCHED INTERNATL PASSG SRV AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0542                    N903WA              PX- 61 13  2                            53, 31500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            2248 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LICENCIADO BENITO
        OPERATOR - WESTERN AIR LINES,INC.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LOS ANGELES,CA              MEXICO CITY,MEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: AUTOMOBILE                                LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - RUNWAY CLOSED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- INVEST & REPORTED BY GOVT OF MEX.RWY 23R ASSIGNED,INITIAL T/D OFF 23L.HIT TRUCK.WX-FOG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N903WA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N903WA-1981-10-15), registration cancelled 1981-10-15, S/N 46929 (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
- Engines: turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Licenciado Benito

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79687. 16.5 MB in all.

- Report from Microfiche 10804A (item 1, .PDF, 16.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20Microfiche%2010804A-Master.PDF

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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