# NTSB DEN88MA203: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N1830U, Denver, CO, September 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1988, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.790954, -104.840415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7910&lon=-104.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 206 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88MA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88MA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - thrust reverser,cockpit control - bent (cause)
  - thrust reverser,cockpit control - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - thrust reverser - inoperative (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - monitoring - inadequate, flight engineer (cause)
  - reversers - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

AS THE CAPT WAS DEPLOYING REVERSERS DRG LNDG, #2 & #3 REVERSERS UNLOCKED & DEPLOYED (GREEN LGT COND), BUT #1 REVERSER WAS BINDING & ONLY MOVED TO THE UNLOCKED PSN (AMBER LGT COND). CAPT WAS NOT WARNED OF THIS COND, THOUGH 2ND OFFICER SHOULD HAVE MONITORED LGTS. CAPT SAID HE RCHD TO CHECK #1 LEVER. AT ABT THAT TIME, ACFT YAWED RGT. DESPITE IMT ACTION BYTHE CAPT, DRCTNL CTL OF ACFT WAS LOST DUE TO YAWING CAUSED BY INOP THRUST REVERSER. ACFT CONTD OFF RWY, CROSSED 2 TWYS &NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AFTER STOPPING, EVACUATION WAS ORDERED. EVACUATION SLIDES DEPLOYED NMLY, BUT WITH THE ACFT ON ITS NOSE, USE OF SLIDES AT DOORS 4L & 4R WAS DISCONTINUED DUE TO EXCESSIVE VERTICAL ANGLE OF SLIDES. INV REVEALED THAT AFTERTCHDWN, #1 ENG ACCELERATED WITH FWD THRUST AS #2 & #3 ENGS PROVIDED REVERSE THRUST. AT ABT THE SAME TIME, THE ACFT'S NOSE LIFTED OFF THE RWY TO A 4 DEG ATTITUDE & THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE THROTTLE QUADRANT REVEALED THE S1-847 SW WAS CURLED/TWISTED & 2 SUPPORT SHAFTS (HOLDING THE SWS) WERE BENT CAUSING INTMT OPN OF THE #1 REVERSER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1830U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-10
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46629
- Airframe hours: 37265
- Engines: GE CF6-6D 39300 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 19, 1988, 1,130 hours before
- Departed: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: DEN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DEN, Stapleton Intl, runway 26L, 10,004 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,500 total, 233 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN

## 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 19880912041389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880912041389A), Sep 12, 1988: Doug DC1010, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. NR1 thrust reverse did not deploy. Jet left runway to right. Throttle switch module defective.

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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