Lecture Notes: American Airlines Flight 191 Crash

Overview

• Event: Crash of American Airlines Flight 191
• Date: May 25, 1979
• Location: Chicago O'Hare International Airport
• Casualties: 273 people (271 on the plane, 2 on the ground)
• Significance: Deadliest single-plane accident in U.S. commercial aviation history

Flight Details

• Aircraft: DC-10
• Crew: Pilot Walter H. Lux, Co-pilot James R. Dillard, Flight Engineer Alfred A. Udovich
• Passengers: 258, including notable individuals such as Richard Forstrom, Terrence Ktie, Leonard Stoel

Sequence of Events

• Time of Takeoff: 2:59 PM
• Weather: Clear conditions, 15-mile visibility
• Incident: Engine and its pylon assembly detached from the left wing during takeoff
• Outcome: Loss of control, resulting in a crash 31 seconds after takeoff

Investigation

Immediate Response

• NTSB and FAA Involvement: Elite Go Teams dispatched to investigate
• Key Investigators: Charles Foster (FAA), Michael Marx (NTSB metallurgist)

Initial Findings

• Initial Theory: Failure of pylon attachment bolt caused the engine to detach
• Media Impact: Intense negative reaction, leading to public distrust of DC-10s

Maintenance Issues

• Maintenance Practice: Improper engine removal procedure using a forklift
• Resulting Damage: Crack in the pylon bulkhead leading to failure
• Related Grounding: Fleet-wide inspection and grounding of DC-10s

Legal and Economic Impact

• Insurance: American Airlines received $50 million, profiting due to insurance overvaluation
• Lawsuits: Numerous wrongful death cases filed
• Corporate Impact: McDonnell Douglas severely affected, leading to eventual decline

Technical and Regulatory Outcomes

• NTSB Report: Highlighted maintenance failures and design vulnerabilities
• FAA Actions: Grounding of DC-10s, inspection mandates, design modifications
• Design Changes: Requirement for stick shakers on both pilot columns, revised V2 speed procedures

Legacy and Lessons Learned

• Safety Improvements: Enhanced maintenance scrutiny, aircraft design reviews
• Industry Changes: Greater awareness of maintenance contribution to aviation safety
• Impact on Air Travel: DC-10s have maintained a good safety record post-incident

Personal and Familial Impact

• Grieving Process: Families dealing with loss and complex legal processes
• Memorialization Efforts: Increased focus on support for victims' families in future incidents

Conclusion

• Aviation Safety: The incident led to critical changes in both maintenance practices and regulatory oversight
• Ongoing Legacy: Lessons from Flight 191 continue to influence aviation safety standards today