A-93-059
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS TO STUDY POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO THE DC-10 AND MD-11 GROUND SPOILER DEPLOYMENT LOGIC TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF LANDING TAIL STRIKES. THE REVISIONS SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONCEPTS: IF THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHES DOWN AT A PITCH ANGLE CLOSE TO THE TAIL STRIKE PITCH ANGLE, INITIAL PARTIAL GROUND SPOILER DEPLOYMENT SHOULD NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE PITCH ANGLE FALLS BELOW A SPECIFIED ANGLE; AND, NOSE GEAR STRUT COMPRESSION STATUS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED LONG ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT THE NOSE WHEEL IS FIRMLY ON THE GROUND, AND HAS NOT JUST MOMENTARILY TOUCHED THE GROUND, BEFORE FULL DEPLOYMENT OF GROUND SPOILERS OCCURS.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to require McDonnell Douglas to study changes to the ground spoiler deployment logic on DC-10 and MD-11 aircraft to lower the risk of tail strikes during landing. The study should consider delaying partial spoiler deployment when the pitch angle is near the tail strike angle, and ensuring the nose gear is firmly on the ground before full deployment.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Unacceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Dec 20, 1995 |
| NTSB number | ATL92IA151 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).