# NTSB FTW95IA023: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11, N1758B, Dfw Airport, TX, October 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1994, 21:31 local (Oct 14, 1994, 02:31 UTC)
- Place: Dfw Airport, TX
- Location: 32.8972° N, 97.0377° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTL (DFW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8972&lon=-97.0377&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95IA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95IA023

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY UNKNOWN PERSONS RESULTING IN A JAMMED SPOILER. A FACTOR WAS THE REVERSED AILERON FITTING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
  - flight control,aileron attachment - reversed (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - jammed

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A RIGHT ROLL AND YAW. THE CREW ARRESTED THE YAW AND ROLL AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. FOLLOWING THE LANDING, AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT HAND SPOILER CONTROL ARM HAD BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE RIGHT AILERON CABLE BUS GUARD. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE AILERON BUS GUARD AND A REVIEW OF THE ENGINEERING DRAWINGS REVEALED THAT THE CABLE BUS GUARD HAD BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY (REVERSED 180 DEGREES FROM THE CORRECT INSTALLATION).

## Factual narrative

On October 13, 1994, at 2131 central daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, N1758B, experienced a flight control malfunction during takeoff at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, (DFW) Texas.  The airplane, owned by American Airlines, Inc., and operated by U. S. Africa Airways, was departing on a ferry flight to Washington's Dulles Airport.  An IFR flight plan was filed and in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  Neither of the two crewmembers were injured.

According to the crew, they experienced a right roll and yaw at liftoff.  They were able to control the adverse control effects and elected to return to the airport where an uneventful landing was made.  As the airplane was taxiing to the maintenance hangar, maintenance personnel noticed that spoiler numbers 1, 4, and 5, were deployed on the right wing.  Prior to this flight a "B" check had been completed on the airplane during which a left hand aileron tension regulator had been removed and replaced.  Post- incident inspection revealed that the right hand spoiler control arm had become entangled in the right aileron cable bus guard. It was determined that the cable guard had been installed backwards following the aileron cable maintenance.

Repeated attempts to obtain a Pilot/Operator report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was unsuccessful due to the company going out of business.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1758B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-11
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48527
- Airframe hours: 8642
- Engines: GE CF680C2D-1F 62504 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: U. S. Africa Airways
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 13, 1994
- Destination: IAD, WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DFW, Dfw Airport, runway 36, 11,388 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; 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: 13,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DFW

## 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 19941013039519I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941013039519I), Oct 13, 1994: Doug MD11, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX. Aileron roll on takeoff. Pilot corrected. Returned. Right wing spoilers deployed. Cable guard incorrect installed.

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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