Casualties unknown

Two Takeoff Incidents in Consecutive Days Involving Same Aircraft (N1808U)

Colorado Spring, CO, US

On October 30, 1991, a Douglas DC-10-10 (registration N1808U) operated by United Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Colorado Spring, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE CAPTAIN'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION AND THE COPILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND SNOW/ICE ON THE RUNWAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff roll, an aircraft drifted right; post-incident inspection found no damage. The next day, a different crew rejected takeoff due to No. 3 engine failure; disassembly revealed compressor blade fractures and turbine damage.

First Incident

During the takeoff roll, as the aircraft approached 50 knots indicated airspeed, it began to drift to the right. The first officer, who was handling the takeoff, applied left rudder to correct. The right drift became more pronounced, prompting the use of full left rudder. The captain then took control, retarded all three throttles, and attempted to regain directional control using asymmetrical thrust. When that proved unsuccessful, the throttles were retarded and reverse thrust was applied. A post-incident inspection revealed no apparent damage to the aircraft.

Second Incident

The following morning, a different crew was operating the same aircraft. During the takeoff roll, the crew rejected the takeoff when the No. 3 engine failed. Subsequent disassembly and inspection of the engine disclosed metal in the tailpipe, sand and mud in the compressor section, and that the 13th stage and two 14th stage compressor blades had broken off. This caused extensive damage to both the low pressure and high pressure turbines.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18281. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.