The DC-10: A pivotal aircraft, or a lawsuit waiting to happen?

Real World Aviation
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Hey IFC,
I was on YouTube today, and found this very interesting video about the DC-10 and how McDonnel handled it:

My thoughts: This aircraft is a very iconic plane in aviation, but after watching this, I think McDonnell should have taken more time to make sure it was ready. McDonnel essentially sug their own hole for the aircraft, even though it was not entirely there fault, but just the rapid advance of the aviation industry.

What are your thoughts? If you want to argue, please do it in a respectful manor.

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The biggest issue I have is the fact McDonnel Douglas was aware of many possibly fatal issues with the aircraft and chose to went through with it anyways.

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Well since the D.C.-10 is retired from PAX service. I’m confused on why there might be a lawsuit?

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For dramatic title affect.

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Almost any fatal air disaster results in a lawsuit. I’m sure that it had a few lawsuits against it.

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Does anyone remember the worse non-terrorist aviation incident in US history?

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@DiamondGaming4 American Airlines Flight 191 that killed 271 people 2 on the ground (273 in total)

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If these aircraft are such dangers, why are they still being used extensively in freighter ops?

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I don’t know a FedEx DC10 had a collapsed left landing gear

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Heres an analogy that comes to mind and the young folk might understand better. Doughs aircraft wanted to beet Locheed to market, so they rushed there product. The same way Microsoft did with the 360 to beat the PS3. They did, and and outsold them, but suffered alot of long term consequences from the rushed design…

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Because they’re cheap.

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I love that comparison because it’s TRUE!

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When the accidents happen airlines are forced to improve the aircraft in whichever way the FAA states the problem happen,

Example: A fan blade split in half due to a defect, the FAA might tell airlines to check those fan blades and if there are others with defects then they replace them and the aircraft is safer, After those incidents the DC-10 was a much safer aircraft.

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@KPIT though that is very true comparison, an issue an X Box might lead to some complaints to customer support, but an undiscovered issue with a multi-million dollar aircraft could and would have serious consequences.

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I know, I wasnt saying they were the same thing, just simlar cause and affect… 😉

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Aren’t you forgetting the Tenerife disaster back in the 70’s? Surely a terrorist bomb exploded at Gran Canaria airport but the accident itself had nothing to do with terrorists, only with a hasty captain sadly…

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That did not occur in the United States

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Ok gotcha… 👍

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Like @DiamondGaming4 said:

  1. It’s cheap

  2. Freighter ops best suits as it’s not holding the lives of people (excluding the captain and other essential flight ops on board) and Cargo can’t complain as it’s better to lose cargo than human life. Another reason why when Boeing claims they’re making RC planes (no pilot, just autopilot) it’s going to start for cargo first.

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Was not the aircrafts fault but that of the mechanics who missed a couple bolts in the pylon