SERS · McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · 1998-05-21 · LOS ANGELES, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX98FA169
Event ID
20001211X10120
Type
Accident
Date
1998-05-21
Location
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA
Coordinates
33.94968, -118.399993
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
4
Minor
5
Uninjured
289
Total aboard
298
Aircraft
Make
McDonnell Douglas
Model
DC-10-10
Registration
N68043
FAR Part
121
Engines
3
Damage
—
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The contaminated strain gage, which resulted in shorting of the strain gage's terminal lugs which lead to excessive autopilot initiated elevator movement, and excessive elevator actuation during recovery by the captain. Contributing factors were the failure of the airline maintenance department to diagnose and correct a historical problem with the autopilot system and the manufacturer's inadequate quality assurance program.