The Rise and Fall of the DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10, a wide-body tri-jet airliner, soared into the aviation scene with great promise during the early 1970s. However, this aircraft would become notorious for a series of tragic accidents that left an indelible mark on aviation history. Among these disasters, the American Airlines Flight 191 crash stands out as the deadliest plane crash in U.S. history. This article will explore the rise and fall of the DC-10, shedding light on key events and examining how the aircraft's legacy became tarnished by a string of catastrophic accidents.
The DC-10 was developed as McDonnell Douglas' response to the increasing demand for long-range, wide-body aircraft in the late 1960s. It made its inaugural flight on August 29, 1970, and was initially greeted with optimism. The aircraft boasted innovative features, such as its three-engine design and the capacity to carry over 380 passengers. The DC-10 was a game-changer in commercial aviation, offering airlines a versatile and fuel-efficient option for long-haul routes.
In the early 1970s, the aviation industry was abuzz with competition between the DC-10 and the Boeing 747, two giants vying for dominance in the long-haul commercial airline market. The DC-10, manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company, quickly captured the attention of airlines worldwide. It showboated an extravagant design, including a tri-jet configuration, which made it more fuel-efficient than its rivals. The DC-10 offered a comfortable, spacious cabin for passengers and promised cost-effective, long-range travel. Despite its ‘flashy’ design, the DC-10 faced stiff competition from Boeing's 747, which had already made its mark as the ‘Queen of the Skies’. Both aircraft aimed to offer a new era of long-haul travel, and their rivalry was nothing short of legendary.
The Boeing 747 was the first ‘Jumbo Jet Airliner’ and took its first flight on February 9th, 1969 and was later certified in December that year. The first airline to purchase a fleet of 747s was Pan Am, (or Pan American) Airlines on January 22, 1970. The inaugural flight of the 747 with Pan Am was originally rescheduled due to more time needed for maintenance but was still successful and made a big impact on the development of aviation. The 747 broke many world records and its scale compared to other planes was massive. Its wingspan was longer than the total distance of the Wright Brothers’ first flight and Boeing didn't have a facility large enough to build the 747, so they had to construct a new assembly plant in Everett, Washington State. This building then became the world’s largest building by volume.
- This image shows the very first Boeing 747 in 1970 with its crew and executive officers.
In 1990, US President George. W. Bush became the first president to take the 747 up as ‘Air Force One’, turning down the McDonnel Doughlas’ proposal of the DC-10. After decades of service, the 747 soon declined in popularity as Airbus planes became very popular. The Airbus A380 had its inaugural flight on 27 April 2005 and was quickly taken up by many airlines such as Singapore Airlines and later on, Emirates Airlines, (two of the biggest airline companies). This left less space in the industry for 747s and airlines wanted new and modern planes unlike the 747 that had been in use since the early 1970s. Nevertheless, the 747 left a positive impact on the aviation industry and in 2017, Delta Airlines, (the only airline still using the 747 in the US), retired its fleet of 747s. This was an emotional day for the aviation community and the legacy of the 747 will not be forgotten.
While the DC-10 found commercial success, it was denied the prestigious status of Air Force One, the official presidential aircraft. In 1972, President Richard Nixon's administration decided against procuring the DC-10 for presidential travel, choosing instead to stick with Boeing's 707-based Air Force One, and in 1990, President George. W. Bush officialised the 747 as ‘Air Force One’. This decision, though not primarily based on safety concerns, did influence public perception and raised questions about the DC-10's suitability for the highest-profile government travels. Despite its promising start, the DC-10 quickly earned a grim reputation due to a series of high-profile accidents. The plane was soon nicknamed the ‘Death Chamber’, ‘These incidents raised serious concerns about the aircraft's safety and reliability.
- American Airlines Flight 191, (May 25, 1979)
The most infamous DC-10 accident occurred when American Airlines Flight 191 crashed shortly after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The disaster resulted in the tragic loss of all 271 people on board and two on the ground. It remains the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history. The crash was attributed to the failure of the aircraft's left engine, which detached and damaged the hydraulic system, causing a loss of control. This incident severely undermined public confidence in the DC-10's safety and triggered a series of investigations into its design and maintenance.
- This horrifying photo was taken by American film director and pilot, Michael Laughlin as he witnessed the incident of American Airlines Flight 191 unfold.
“I just stood there shaking…”
- This horrifying photo was taken by American film director and pilot, Michael Laughlin as he witnessed the incident of AA191 unfold. Michael later quoted in a statement that he, “…just stood there shaking…” in shock as he witnessed the plane explode.
- Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (March 3, 1974)
Before the American Airlines tragedy, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 suffered a catastrophic crash in Paris. The cargo door of the DC-10 blew open during flight, causing a rapid decompression that led to the disintegration of the aircraft. All 346 people on board perished in the accident and the accident was named the worst air disaster in history until March 27th, 1977 when 2 fully loaded Boeing 747 jumbo jets collided on a runway in Tenerife, Spain. This incident raised concerns about the cargo door design on DC-10s, leading to necessary modifications and redesigns to prevent future accidents.
- This picture shows the annihilated forest where Turkish Airlines 981 crashed.
- United Airlines Flight 232 (July 19, 1989)
While not a crash with complete loss of life, the United Airlines Flight 232 incident served as another stark reminder of the DC-10's vulnerability. An engine failure led to the loss of hydraulic systems, leaving the flight crew with limited control. Astonishingly, the skilled efforts of the crew resulted in a crash landing in Sioux City, Iowa, with 111 of the 296 people on board losing their lives. These accidents, particularly American Airlines Flight 191, cast a shadow over the DC-10's reputation, prompting extensive investigations into its design and safety features.
- How The Incident Occurred
On the 19th of July, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 was a normal commercial flight that took off from Stapleton International Airport , (Denver), heading to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The flight seemed to be normal until a cracked fan in the tail engine ruptured. The debris hit the horizontal stabiliser causing a loss of the hydraulic system and complete loss of control in the plane. This caused the plane to bank sharply to the right because the left engine was damaged much more than the right causing an unfair balance on the plane. Captain Alfred Haynes, (1931-2019) and First Officer William Records soon realised that their plane was in danger and radioed the ATC tower in Minneapolis to alert them of the major problem and request an emergency landing at an airport in Sioux City, Iowa. The landing didn’t go as planned as the plane suddenly banked left on the approach to the runway causing it to miss the runway and crash land.
- This photo shows the wreckage of Flight 232 and the severity of the incident.
In the wake of these accidents, McDonnell Douglas faced mounting legal challenges, public outrage, and increased scrutiny from aviation authorities. The DC-10's design flaws and maintenance procedures were exposed, leading to a series of modifications and safety improvements. The most significant change was the redesign of the cargo door, a key factor in the Turkish Airlines Flight 981 disaster. The FAA, (Federal Aviation Administration), mandated changes, and all DC-10s were retrofitted with improved cargo door mechanisms. Furthermore, the FAA and other international aviation authorities intensified inspections and oversight of DC-10 maintenance and operations. Airlines were required to implement stringent maintenance and inspection procedures, improving the overall safety of the fleet. Despite the extensive efforts to enhance its safety record, the DC-10 never fully shed its association with these catastrophic accidents. The aircraft's reputation suffered irreparably, and airlines gradually phased out their DC-10 fleets in favour of more modern and reliable models. In the early 2000s, the last DC-10s were retired from commercial service, marking the end of an era. While the aircraft had its moments of glory, the dark cloud of tragic accidents ultimately defined its legacy.
The rise and fall of the DC-10 is a poignant tale of an aircraft that promised much but ultimately faced many challenges due to a series of tragic accidents. The legacy of the DC-10 serves as a bold reminder of the importance of safety in the aviation industry and the profound impact of high-profile disasters on an aircraft's reputation. Although the DC-10 is no longer in service, the lessons learned from its tragic history continue to shape aviation safety standards to this day.
“Failure saves lives. In the airline industry, every time a plane crashes the probability of the next crash is lowered by that.”