# NTSB Incident DCA88IA044
> **MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-40** · 1988-03-30 · BOSTON, MA, USA · NONE
## Event
- **NTSB number:** DCA88IA044
- **Event ID:** 20001213X25244
- **Type:** Incident
- **Date:** 1988-03-30
- **Location:** BOSTON, MA, USA
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** NONE
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 86
- **Total aboard:** 86
## Aircraft
- **Make:** MCDONNELL DOUGLAS
- **Model:** DC-10-40
- **Registration:** N154US
- **FAR Part:** 121
- **Engines:** 3
- **Damage:** MINR
## Conditions
- **Light:** DUSK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE BATTERY GROUND CONNECTION THAT RESULTED IN PREMATURE LOOSENING OF THE CONNECTION AND ELECTRICAL ARC IGNITION OF POOLED FUEL IN THE CAC BILGE. THE FUEL WAS NOT DRAINED OVERBOARD DUE TO INOPERATIVE CAC BILGE AREA DRAIN VALVES.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS NORTHWEST'S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN TO MODIFY THE GROUND CABLE ATTACHMENT BRACKET TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF THE CONNECTION.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=DCA88IA044) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*