Unfallbericht:
American Flight 96 had departed Detroit-Metropolitan Airport and was climbing through 11,750 feet at 260 kt IAS when the flightcrew felt a "thud". Simultaneously dust and dirt flew up into their faces, the rudder pedals moved to the full left-rudder position, the three thrust levers moved back to the near flight-idle position and the airplane yawed to the right. The crew managed to regain control of the plane, although a.o. elevator response was sluggish, and rudder control was not available. An emergency was declared and the crew returned to Detroit. A safe runway 03 long final approach and landing were carried out.
It appeared that a cargo door had separated, causing a rapid decompression, which, in turn, caused failure of the cabin floor over the bulk cargo compartment.
The separated door caused minor damage to the fuselage above the door and substantial damage to the leading edge and upper surface of the left horizontal
stabilizer.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The improper engagement of the latching mechanism for the aft bulk cargo compartment door during the preparation of the airplane for flight. The design characteristics of the door latching mechanism permitted the door to be apparently closed when, in fact, the latches were not fully engaged, and the latch lockpins were not in place."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Datum: | Montag 12 Juni 1972 |
| Zeit: | 19:44 EST |
| Flugzeugtyp: |  McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 |
| Fluggesellschaft: | American Airlines |
| Kennzeichen: | N103AA |
| Werknummer: | 46503/5 |
| Baujahr: | 1971 |
| Betriebsstunden: | 2142 |
| Triebwerk: | 3 General Electric CF6-6D |
| Besatzung: | Todesopfer: 0 / Insassen: 11 |
| Fluggäste: | Todesopfer: 0 / Insassen: 56 |
| Gesamt: | Todesopfer: 0 / Insassen: 67 |
| Sachschaden: | schwer beschädigt |
| Konsequenzen: | Repaired |
| Unfallort: | nahe Windsor, ON ( Kanada)
|
| Flugphase: | Während des Fluges (ENR) |
| Betriebsart: | Inländischer planmäßiger Passagierflug |
| Flug von: | Detroit-Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, MI (DTW/KDTW), USA |
| Buffalo-Greater Buffalo International Airport, NY (BUF/KBUF), USA | |
| Flugnummer: | AA96 |
American Flight 96 had departed Detroit-Metropolitan Airport and was climbing through 11,750 feet at 260 kt IAS when the flightcrew felt a "thud". Simultaneously dust and dirt flew up into their faces, the rudder pedals moved to the full left-rudder position, the three thrust levers moved back to the near flight-idle position and the airplane yawed to the right. The crew managed to regain control of the plane, although a.o. elevator response was sluggish, and rudder control was not available. An emergency was declared and the crew returned to Detroit. A safe runway 03 long final approach and landing were carried out.
It appeared that a cargo door had separated, causing a rapid decompression, which, in turn, caused failure of the cabin floor over the bulk cargo compartment.
The separated door caused minor damage to the fuselage above the door and substantial damage to the leading edge and upper surface of the left horizontal
stabilizer.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The improper engagement of the latching mechanism for the aft bulk cargo compartment door during the preparation of the airplane for flight. The design characteristics of the door latching mechanism permitted the door to be apparently closed when, in fact, the latches were not fully engaged, and the latch lockpins were not in place."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Informationsquelle:
» NTSB AAR-73-2Sicherheitsempfehlungen
NTSB issued 5 Safety Recommendations
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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Detroit-Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, MI to Buffalo-Greater Buffalo International Airport, NY as the crow flies is 384 km (240 miles).
Distance from Detroit-Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, MI to Buffalo-Greater Buffalo International Airport, NY as the crow flies is 384 km (240 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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