# NTSB SEA90LA156: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, N1804U, Coeur D'Alene, ID, August 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1990, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Coeur D'Alene, ID
- Coordinates: 47.590511, -116.909278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5905&lon=-116.9093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 282 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA156

## Probable cause

PASSENGER SPILLING A HOT CUP OF COFFEE IN HER LAP WHILE THE FLIGHT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - miscellaneous, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, A FLIGHT ATTENDANT HANDED A PASSENGER A CUP OF COFFEE. THE ATTENDANT THEN BEGAN TO SERVE ANOTHER PASSENGER WHEN THE FIRST PASSENGER KNOCKED HER SERVING TRAY AND THE CUP OF COFFEE SPILLED IN HER LAP. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SECOND DEGREE BURNS AND WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE DAYS. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF TURBULENCE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1804U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1804U-1994-05-31), registration cancelled 1994-05-31, S/N 46603 (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: 3604
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Departed: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 12,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900803064639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900803064639A), Aug 3, 1990: Doug DC1010, Coeur D Alene, ID. A passenger accidently spilled hot coffee into her lap receiving second degree burns requiring hospitalization.

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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