# NTSB LAX87IA230: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N105AA, Los Angeles, CA, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Location: 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Los Angeles, CA, within about 12 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0522&lon=-118.2437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 234 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87IA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87IA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - flight control,flap attachment - corroded (cause)
  - flight control,flap attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - flight control,flap - separation (cause)
  - flight control,flap - asymmetrical

## Analysis

OVER THE OUTER MARKER, THE CAPTAIN EXTENDED THE FLAPS TO 50 DEGREES. AS THE FLAPS EXTENDED PAST 35 DEGREES, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO THE 35 DEGREE POSITION AND A GO-AROUND WAS EXECUTED. THE FLAPS WERE SET AT 22 DEGREES AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED SAFELY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT 20 FEET OF THE LEFT OUTBOARD TRAILING EDGE FLAP VANE WAS MISSING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FLAP VANE SECTIONS REVEALED THAT THE ATTACHMENT NUT AT TRACK NUMBER TWO WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE BOLT WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N105AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105AA-2002-06-10), registration cancelled 2002-06-10, S/N 46505, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-10
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-10) (registry code 3022110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CF6-6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf6-6-series) (registry code 30020, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46505
- Airframe hours: 42876
- Engines: GE CF6-6 39500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 17, 1987, 174 hours before
- Departed: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: LAX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles International, runway 25L, 11,096 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 33,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: LAX

## 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 19870606028749I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606028749I), Jun 6, 1987: Doug DC1010, Los Angeles, CA, Minor damage. Buffet with left roll noted as flaps extended to 50 degrees. Go around made, safe landing. Flap vane was missing.

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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