A-94-037
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT COMPANY TO ADVISE MD-11 OPERATORS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE TO THE COMPOSITE ELEVATORS IF THE AIRPLANE IS OPERATED BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE DESIGN BUFFET BOUNDARY, AND TO INFORM THESE OPERATORS THAT PILOTS MIGHT PERCEIVE THE STALL BUFFET (AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL) ENCOUNTERED DURING HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH SPEED UPSETS AS SEVERE TURBULENCE.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The Federal Aviation Administration is asked to require Douglas Aircraft Company to notify MD-11 operators about possible damage to composite elevators when the airplane exceeds its design buffet boundary. Operators should also be told that pilots may mistake the stall buffet and subsequent loss of control experienced during high-altitude, high-speed upsets for severe turbulence.
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 - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Aug 16, 1994 |
| NTSB number | DCA93IA009 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).