UA 232
19 Jul 1989 · Mechanical & Structural FailureUNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 232
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 · United Airlines · Image: Wikimedia Commons
Why it happened
Fan disk exploded, severing all hydraulics
No. 2 engine fan disk
Triple hydraulic loss
Thrust-only flight control
Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
United Airlines
Route
Denver (DEN), USA
→ Chicago–O'Hare (ORD), USA
People
296 on board
112 fatalities
Date
19 Jul 1989
Flight crew
Captain: Alfred 'Al' Haynes
Category
Mechanical & Structural Failure
Metal fatigue, broken parts, failed repairs.
THE STORY
A cracked fan disk shredded the tail engine and every hydraulic line. The crew steered with throttle alone and crash-landed at Sioux City — 184 survived.