Summary
On April 11, 2004, a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (N14075) was involved in an incident near Atlantic Ocean, AO. All 252 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the number two upper forward right engine cowling attachment, which resulted in substantial damage to the right inboard elevator. A factor was the inadequate procedures in the airliner maintenance manual.
On April 10, 2004, about 2258 eastern daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, N14075, operated by World Airways Inc., as flight 725, was substantially damaged during cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The 3 cockpit crewmembers, 9 cabin crewmembers, and 240 passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Naples, Italy; destined for Norfolk Naval Station (NGU), Norfolk, Virginia. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the public use non-scheduled passenger flight.
The captain reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 32,000 feet. The airplane "shuddered and bounced" for a half-second, and then returned to stable flight.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC04TA103. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N14075.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the number two upper forward right engine cowling attachment, which resulted in substantial damage to the right inboard elevator. A factor was the inadequate procedures in the airliner maintenance manual.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 10, 2004, about 2258 eastern daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, N14075, operated by World Airways Inc., as flight 725, was substantially damaged during cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The 3 cockpit crewmembers, 9 cabin crewmembers, and 240 passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Naples, Italy; destined for Norfolk Naval Station (NGU), Norfolk, Virginia. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the public use non-scheduled passenger flight.
The captain reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 32,000 feet. The airplane "shuddered and bounced" for a half-second, and then returned to stable flight. At that time, a flight attendant heard a "bang" from the rear of the airplane. The cockpit crew then felt a slight vibration, and noted a fuel burn of approximately 1,000 pounds per hour more than expected. However, all cockpit controls and instruments appeared normal.
The flight proceeded to NGU and landed uneventfully about 0300, on April 11. A subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed that the right engine cowling had separated from the number two engine. Approximately 40 percent of the right inboard elevator had separated, consistent with the elevator being struck by the engine cowling.
Further inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator revealed that the engine cowling upper forward hinge required three bolts. However, only one bolt remained attached, and the investigator did not observe any evidence that the other two bolts tore away during flight. The investigator also noted fretting in the area of the bolt holes, consistent with an oscillation over a period of time, due to the absence of two bolts.
The FAA investigator added that the airliner maintenance manual required a general inspection of the area, but did not specifically mention cowling hinge bolts. In addition, the hinges were located in an area that was not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. The investigator subsequently submitted a safety recommendation to have the cowling hinge bolts inspected every "D" check.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC04TA103