# NTSB MIA90LA058: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N124AA, San Juan, PR, January 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1990, 00:50 local (04:50 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 45 minor, 100 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA058

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT FLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE INTO AN AREA OF TURBULENCE ASSOCIATED WITH A DEVELOPING RAIN STORM.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level ii
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - miscellaneous - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A NORMAL DESCENT FROM FL370 IN PREPARATION FOR ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION. AS THE DESCENT CONTINUED THROUGH FL 230 THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED 2 TURBULENCE EVENTS AND 2 PASSENGERS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES AND 37 PASSENGERS AND 8 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT WAS OPERATING ON A MOONLESS NIGHT AND THE WEATHER AVOIDANCE RADAR WAS ON BUT NOTHING WAS OBSERVED ON THE RADAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N124AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-10
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: GE CF-6 turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: EWR, NEWARK, NJ
- Destination: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,550 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 30 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).

- [Accident 19900120013849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900120013849A), Jan 20, 1990: Doug DC1010, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Minor damage. On descent in area of level 2 rainshowers hit severe downdraft. Passengers and attendants injured. Seat sign on.

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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