American Airlines Flight 191

American Airlines Flight 191
source
Occurrence type	Crash
Site	Chicago, Illinois, near O'Hare International Airport
Fatalities	273
Aircraft type	McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Operator	American Airlines
Registration	N110AA
Origin	O'Hare International Airport
Destination	Los Angeles International Airport

American Airlines Flight 191 was a scheduled American Airlines passenger flight that crashed on May 25, 1979, during takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, bound for Los Angeles International Airport in California. The accident involved a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft, registration N110AA, and resulted in the loss of all 271 people on board, as well as two people on the ground, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in United States history, surpassed only by the September 11 attacks and the Tenerife airport disaster. The crash of American Airlines Flight 191 was also one of the most significant events in the history of aviation safety, leading to major changes in Federal Aviation Administration regulations and procedures, including those related to National Transportation Safety Board investigations. The incident occurred just a few months after the Iran hostage crisis and during a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with Jimmy Carter serving as the President of the United States.

Introduction

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was a wide-body jet airliner that was introduced in the early 1970s and was operated by several major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Continental Airlines. The aircraft was known for its reliability and efficiency, but it had also been involved in several high-profile accidents, including the Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crash in 1974 and the United Airlines Flight 232 crash in 1989. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued several airworthiness directives related to the DC-10, including one that required the inspection of the aircraft's pylon and engine mounts, which was relevant to the American Airlines Flight 191 accident. The National Transportation Safety Board had also investigated several previous accidents involving the DC-10, including the National Airlines Flight 193 crash in 1973 and the Western Airlines Flight 2605 crash in 1979. The International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization had also issued guidelines and recommendations related to the safe operation of the DC-10.

Accident

On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 departed from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, bound for Los Angeles International Airport in California. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 registered as N110AA, was carrying 271 people, including 13 crew members and 258 passengers, such as United States Senator Ted Kennedy's friend, as well as several employees of General Motors and Ford Motor Company. The flight crew consisted of Captain Walter Lux, First Officer James Dillard, and Flight Engineer Alfred Udovich, all of whom were experienced pilots with thousands of hours of flight time, having flown for American Airlines and other airlines, including Trans World Airlines and Eastern Air Lines. As the aircraft began its takeoff roll, the number one engine and pylon separated from the wing, causing a loss of control and a subsequent crash into a nearby field, just a few miles from O'Hare International Airport and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The accident occurred at approximately 3:04 PM local time, and it was witnessed by several people on the ground, including employees of United Airlines and Northwest Airlines.

Investigation

The investigation into the accident was led by the National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, American Airlines, and McDonnell Douglas. The investigation revealed that the accident was caused by a faulty pylon and engine mount, which had been damaged during a maintenance procedure several weeks prior to the accident, at a facility operated by American Airlines and United Airlines. The pylon and engine mount had been improperly repaired, and the damage had not been detected during subsequent inspections, despite the issuance of airworthiness directives by the Federal Aviation Administration. The investigation also found that the Federal Aviation Administration had failed to adequately oversee the maintenance procedures of American Airlines and other airlines, including Delta Air Lines and US Airways. The National Transportation Safety Board issued several recommendations as a result of the investigation, including the implementation of more stringent maintenance procedures and the use of more advanced inspection techniques, such as those used by Boeing and Airbus.

Cause

The cause of the accident was determined to be a combination of factors, including the faulty pylon and engine mount, inadequate maintenance procedures, and insufficient oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration. The investigation found that the pylon and engine mount had been damaged during a maintenance procedure, and that the damage had not been properly repaired or detected during subsequent inspections, despite the use of non-destructive testing techniques, such as those used by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The investigation also found that the Federal Aviation Administration had failed to adequately enforce its regulations and guidelines related to maintenance procedures, including those related to the DC-10, which was also operated by Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the accident was preventable, and that it highlighted the need for more stringent maintenance procedures and more effective oversight by regulatory agencies, such as the European Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Aftermath

The crash of American Airlines Flight 191 had a significant impact on the aviation industry, leading to major changes in maintenance procedures and regulatory oversight, including the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive system. The accident also led to the development of more advanced inspection techniques, such as ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing, which are now used by airlines and manufacturers around the world, including Boeing, Airbus, and Bombardier. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation and recommendations also led to improvements in crew resource management and human factors training, which are now mandatory for all Federal Aviation Administration-certified pilots, including those flying for Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. The accident was also the subject of several lawsuits, including a lawsuit filed by the families of the victims against American Airlines and McDonnell Douglas, which was settled out of court, with the assistance of United States District Court judges and American Bar Association lawyers. The American Airlines Flight 191 accident remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in United States history, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and regulatory oversight in the aviation industry, with organizations such as the International Air Transport Association and the Federal Aviation Administration continuing to play a critical role in ensuring the safety of air travel. Category:Aviation accidents and incidents