# NTSB LAX87MA044: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N68043, Los Angeles, CA, November 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1986, 03:15 local (11:15 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: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 119 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87MA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87MA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - autopilot/flight director - erratic (cause)
- Abrupt maneuver, cruise - normal

## Analysis

THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT ABOUT 90 MIN AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT PITCH-UP, FOLLOWED BY AN ABRUPT PITCH-DOWN. DRG THE OCCURRENCE, ONE FLT ATTENDANT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED; TWO FLT ATTENDANTS & ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE AUTOPILOT WAS DISENGAGED & THE FLT RETURNED TO LOS ANGELES WHERE THE ACFT WAS LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE OUTPUT FROM THE #2 (1ST OFFICER'S) CONTROL WHEEL SENSOR, PN 1936100-4, HAD BECOME ERRACTIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68043](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68043-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 46902, built 1972 (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: 46902
- Airframe hours: 47129
- Engines: GE CF6-6 40000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Continental Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 6, 1986
- Departed: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: PPT, PAPEETE,TAHITI, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 215 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19861107086119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861107086119A), Nov 7, 1986: Doug DC1010, Los Angeles, CA. The aircraft pitched abruptly up and down causing injuries. The number 2 autopilot pitch sensor found to be faulty

## Other investigations on N68043 (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX98FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA169), May 21, 1998: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (N68043), Los Angeles, CA, no damage. Probable cause: The contaminated strain gage, which resulted in shorting of the strain gage's terminal lugs which lead to excessive autopilot initiated elevator movement, and excessive elevator actuation during…
- [NTSB LAX83LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA262), Jun 5, 1983: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (N68043), Yuma, AZ, no damage

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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