# NTSB NYC85FA138: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N108AA, Jamaica, NY, May 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1985, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Jamaica, NY
- Coordinates: 40.650558, -73.789276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6506&lon=-73.7893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 212 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA138

## 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
  - door,inspection - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, company/operator mgmt (cause)
  - fuselage,cabin - penetrated (cause)
- Decompression, climb - to cruise
  - fuselage,cabin - decompression (cause)

## Analysis

THE FORWARD ONE-THIRD PORTION OF THE CORE COWL DOOR ON NO. 3 ENGINE SEPARATED IN FLIGHT FIRST STRIKING THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING, THEN PUNCTURING THE FUSELAGE. CAUSING RAPID DECOMPRESSION AT FL 170. THE CORE COWL DOOR LATCHES WERE NOT ADJUSTED & CORE COWL DOOR SHEAR PINS WERE NOT INSTALLED PER MCDONNELL DOUGLAS SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 71-86. DATED MAY 12, 1985.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N108AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N108AA-2002-06-10), registration cancelled 2002-06-10, S/N 46508, 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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46508
- Engines: GE CF6-6 45000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: LGA, NEW YORK, NY
- Destination: DALLAS-FT WORTH, TX
- 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, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 40° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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