# NTSB Accident LAX98FA169
> **McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10** · 1998-05-21 · LOS ANGELES, CA, USA · SERS
## 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.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX98FA169) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*