SERS · McDonnell Douglas MD-11 · 1996-07-14 · WESTERLY, RI, USA
Event
NTSB number
NYC96LA148
Event ID
20001208X06344
Type
Accident
Date
1996-07-14
Location
WESTERLY, RI, USA
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
1
Minor
3
Uninjured
176
Total aboard
180
Aircraft
Make
McDonnell Douglas
Model
MD-11
Registration
N1768D
FAR Part
121
Engines
3
Damage
—
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
insufficient information from the manufacturer in the airplane flight manual and flightcrew operating manual regarding the hazards of applying force to the control wheel or column while the autopilot is engaged and adjusting the pitch thumbwheel during a level off. Also causal was the flightcrew's lack of understanding of these items and the captain's improper decisions to overpower the engaged autopilot and then to disconnect the autopilot while holding back-pressure on the control yoke.