1992-03-03: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 — United Airlines — Chicago, IL

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

Probable cause

CONTAMINATED ANTI-SKID BRAKING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM AND LOCKING UP OF THE BRAKES ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING ROLLOUT, THE CAPTAIN APPLIED BRAKES TO DECELERATE THE AIRPLANE AS IT WAS TURNING TOWARDS THE TAXIWAY. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR BRAKES, WHICH ARE NORMALLY PROTECTED BY A BRAKE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM, LOCKED THREE OF THE FOUR WHEELS SUFFICIENTLY SO THAT THE TIRES WERE SCRUBBED DOWN AND RUPTURED. THE FOURTH TIRE WAS SCRUBBED DOWN AND DEFLATED. THE CAPTAIN STOPPED THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO ENTERING THE TAXIWAY. POST-INCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED CONTAMINATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS BETWEEN THE ANTI-SKID MANIFOLDS AND THE ANTI-SKID COMPUTER RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ANTI-SKID PROTECTION.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-03-03 Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 accident near Chicago, IL?

DURING ROLLOUT, THE CAPTAIN APPLIED BRAKES TO DECELERATE THE AIRPLANE AS IT WAS TURNING TOWARDS THE TAXIWAY. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR BRAKES, WHICH ARE NORMALLY PROTECTED BY A BRAKE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM, LOCKED THREE OF THE FOUR WHEELS SUFFICIENTLY SO THAT THE TIRES WERE SCRUBBED DOWN AND RUPTURED. THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-03-03 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10, registration N1820U, operated by United Airlines, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

CONTAMINATED ANTI-SKID BRAKING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM AND LOCKING UP OF THE BRAKES ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14256. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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