On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 met a tragic end shortly after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 aircraft was bound for Los Angeles International Airport when
it crashed into an open field in Des Plaines, Illinois. This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of all 271 people on board, as well as two individuals on the ground. The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in U.S. history, excluding the September 11 attacks.
The Sequence of Events
The ill-fated flight began its journey from Phoenix and was scheduled to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles. At 2:59 p.m. local time, the aircraft began its taxi to Runway 32R. Just three minutes later, it was cleared for takeoff. As the plane lifted off the ground, a critical failure occurred. The number one engine broke off from its pylon on the left wing. This catastrophic detachment was due to poor maintenance performed eight weeks prior to the crash.
Despite the engine loss, the pilots continued with the takeoff, unaware that the engine had completely separated from the aircraft. The DC-10 was designed to fly with two engines, but the loss of the engine caused significant damage to the left wing, leading to a series of events that the pilots could not control.
The Crash
Shortly after the engine broke off, the aircraft began a steep climb to 300 feet. The left wing's leading edge slats retracted, raising the wing's stall speed from 124 knots to 159 knots. The DC-10, traveling at V2 speed of 153 knots, began to roll uncontrollably to the left. The pilots struggled to regain control, but the plane reached a maximum bank angle of 112 degrees left, with the nose dropping 20 degrees below the horizon.
The aircraft crashed into an open field in front of an aircraft hangar near a trailer park, approximately 4,680 feet northwest of the runway's end. The left wing hit the ground first, leading to the complete destruction of the aircraft and the loss of all lives on board.
Aftermath and Investigation
The crash of Flight 191 was a devastating event that shocked the nation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The investigation revealed that the engine detachment was due to improper maintenance procedures. The engine pylon had been damaged during maintenance, leading to the catastrophic failure during takeoff.
The crash prompted significant changes in maintenance procedures and regulations for the DC-10 aircraft. It also led to increased scrutiny of airline maintenance practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The legacy of Flight 191 serves as a somber reminder of the importance of rigorous maintenance and safety protocols in aviation.
