# NTSB LAX92IA397: Mcdonnell Douglas DC 10-10, N1845U, San Francisco, CA, September 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1992, 09:22 local (16:22 UTC)
- Place: San Francisco, CA
- Coordinates: 37.610271, -122.379524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6103&lon=-122.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 235 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92IA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92IA397

## Probable cause

A FRACTURED COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - 1 engine
  - compressor assembly - fractured (cause)

## Analysis

A MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT COMPANY DC 10 SERIES 10 AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 1 ENGINE WHILE IN THE CRUISE CLIMB. THE ENGINE HAD SUSTAINED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE 14TH THROUGH 16TH STAGE COMPRESSOR SPOOL.  ABOUT 11 YEARS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THE SPOOL WAS DAMAGED BEYOND MAINTENANCE MANUAL LIMITS.  THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF A 360 DEGREE RUB ON THE AFT RIM SURFACE (SURFACE Q) OF THE 16TH STAGE COMPRESSOR. THE SPOOL WAS PLACED IN STORAGE FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN RETURNED TO SERVICE AFTER BEING REPAIRED. FLIGHT PROFILE STRESSES WERE ANALYZED BY ENGINE MANUFACTURER. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, PEAK STRESSES IN THE AFT RIM REGION OR SURFACE Q OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME IN THE FLIGHT PROFILE AS THE UNCONTAINED FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1845U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC 10-10
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48261
- Airframe hours: 36958
- Engines: GE CF6-6D 40000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: Security Pacific National Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 5, 1992, 490 hours before
- Destination: KOA, KONA, HI
- Flight plan: IFR

## 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; seat: left; flight hours: 18,977 total, 6,692 in this make and model, 9,033 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFO, 20 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 19920923041929I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920923041929I), Sep 23, 1992: Doug DC1010, San Francisco, CA, Minor damage. Lost engine power on climb. Returned. Landed safely. Uncontained failure of NR1 engine compressor section.

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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