# NTSB SEA87IA068: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N151AA, Tuba City, AZ, March 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1987, 10:49 local (18:49 UTC)
- Place: Tuba City, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.089691, -111.129112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0897&lon=-111.1291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 173 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87IA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87IA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - disintegrated (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ENGAGED IN CRUISE ON A SCHEDULED TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHT FROM NEW YORK TO LOS ANGELES, SEVERAL STAGE 1 HIGH PRESSURE TURBINE ROTOR BLADES WITHIN THE #1 ENGINE SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING FROM THEIR PLATFORMS. THE INITIAL SEPARATION WAS FOUND TO HAVE ORIGINATED AT A BLADE FORWARD COOLING HOLE AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE FATIGUE INDUCED. THE FATIGUE WAS MOST LIKELY BROUGHT ON BY A DEGRADATION OF THE COOLING AIRFLOW PATTERN WITHIN THE BLADE INDUCED BY AN AIRFLOW LEAK NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE BLADE COOLING HOLES. THE BLADE SEPARATIONS RESULTED IN DISINTEGRATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE TURBINE ASSEMBLY AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N151AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-10
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46706
- Airframe hours: 42237
- Engines: GE CF6-6K 40000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: C.I.T. Group/Equip Fin. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: JFK, NEW YORK, NY
- Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,641 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 180 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 19870326016489I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870326016489I), Mar 26, 1987: Doug DC1010, Tuba City, NV, Minor damage. 3 Compressor blades of number 1 engine failed in cruise. Airliner safely landed. Fatigue and overheat were factors

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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