# NTSB NYC04TA103: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, N14075, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), April 11, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: April 10, 2004, 22:58 local (Apr 11, 2004, 02:58 UTC) - Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) - Coordinates: 37.63562, -72.860687 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6356&lon=-72.8607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 252 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA AAI-100 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04TA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04TA103 ## Probable cause The failure of the number two upper forward right engine cowling attachment, which resulted in substantial damage to the right inboard elevator. A factor was the inadequate procedures in the airliner maintenance manual. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - procedure inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor) - cooling system,cowling - failure (cause) ## Analysis During cruise flight, the crewmembers heard a "bang" from the rear of the cabin, and the airplane momentarily shuddered and bounced. After landing uneventfully at their destination airport, the crewmembers observed that the number two right engine cowling had separated and struck the right inboard elevator. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the engine cowling upper forward hinge required three bolts. However, only one bolt remained attached, and there was no evidence that the other two bolts tore away during flight. Fretting was observed in the area of the bolt holes, consistent with an oscillation over a period of time, due to the absence of two bolts. The airliner maintenance manual required a general inspection of the area, but did not specifically mention cowling hinge bolts. In addition, the hinges were located in an area that was not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 2004, about 2258 eastern daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, N14075, operated by World Airways Inc., as flight 725, was substantially damaged during cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The 3 cockpit crewmembers, 9 cabin crewmembers, and 240 passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Naples, Italy; destined for Norfolk Naval Station (NGU), Norfolk, Virginia. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the public use non-scheduled passenger flight. The captain reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 32,000 feet. The airplane "shuddered and bounced" for a half-second, and then returned to stable flight. At that time, a flight attendant heard a "bang" from the rear of the airplane. The cockpit crew then felt a slight vibration, and noted a fuel burn of approximately 1,000 pounds per hour more than expected. However, all cockpit controls and instruments appeared normal. The flight proceeded to NGU and landed uneventfully about 0300, on April 11. A subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed that the right engine cowling had separated from the number two engine. Approximately 40 percent of the right inboard elevator had separated, consistent with the elevator being struck by the engine cowling. Further inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator revealed that the engine cowling upper forward hinge required three bolts. However, only one bolt remained attached, and the investigator did not observe any evidence that the other two bolts tore away during flight. The investigator also noted fretting in the area of the bolt holes, consistent with an oscillation over a period of time, due to the absence of two bolts. The FAA investigator added that the airliner maintenance manual required a general inspection of the area, but did not specifically mention cowling hinge bolts. In addition, the hinges were located in an area that was not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. The investigator subsequently submitted a safety recommendation to have the cowling hinge bolts inspected every "D" check. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14075](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14075-2013-05-21), registration cancelled 2013-05-21, S/N 46922, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell-Douglas DC-10-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-30) (registry code 3023501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF6-45A2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf6-45a2) (registry code 30017, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46922 - Airframe hours: 96122 - Engines: General Electric CF6-50C2 53000 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CF6-50C2 53000 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CF6-50C2 53000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: World Airways Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 5, 2004, 128 hours before - Departed: LIRN, Naples - Destination: KNGU, Norfolk, VA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 9, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 8,530 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 3,790 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 41; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 19, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 111 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: NGU ## 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 20040410006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040410006949A), Apr 10, 2004: Doug DC1030, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 10, 2004 at 2258 EDT, world airways aircraft N14075, DC-10-30, s/n 46922, was on flight 725 from naples, italy to naval air station norfolk.… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.