# NTSB LAX91IA308: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N111AA, Los Angeles, CA, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1991, 09:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Coordinates: 33.949321, -118.400299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9493&lon=-118.4003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 12 minor, 215 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91IA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91IA308

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 ENGINE'S FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM, SYSTRON DONNER FIRE DETECTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - fire warning system,powerplant - false indication (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, other

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE #2 ENGINE FIRE DETECTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAPTAIN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.  AFTER RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRFIELD, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EMERGENCY SLIDE EVACUATION OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS.  THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT OR ACTUAL FIRE.  AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE'S FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A SYSTRON DONNER FIRE DETECTOR, PN 4361, HAD FAILED.  THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111AA-1995-11-15), registration cancelled 1995-11-15, S/N 46511 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46511
- Engines: GE CF6-6 40000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles International, runway 25, 10,285 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 23,000 total, 5,600 in this make and model, 234 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Observed at: LAX, 1 nm away

## 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 19910713027499I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910713027499I), Jul 13, 1991: Doug DC1010, Los Angeles, CA. Fire warning on NR2 engine on climb. Fired bottles. Returned. Landed safely. Evacuation chutes deployed.

## Other investigations on N111AA (1)

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 CHI85IA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85IA339), Aug 8, 1985: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (N111AA), Detroit, MI, incident, minor 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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