- ACCIDENT DETAILS
Date: May 25, 1979
Time: 1504
Location: Chicago O'Hare, Illinois
Operator: American Airlines
Flight #: 191
Route: Chicago, IL- Los Angeles, CA
AC Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10
Registration: N110AA
cn / ln: 46510/22
Aboard: 271   (passengers:258  crew:13)
Fatalities: 271   (passengers:258  crew:13)
Ground: 2
Summary: During takeoff just, as the plane lifted from the runway, the left engine and pylon separated from the aircraft damaging the wing and hydraulic system which caused the aircraft to roll and crash. Highest single plane death toll in U.S. aviation history. Asymmetrical stall and the ensuing roll of the aircraft because of the uncommanded retraction of the left wing outboard leading edge slats and the loss of stall warning and slat disagreement indication systems caused by separation of the engine and pylon. Improper maintenance procedures used by American Airlines when dismounting the engines for maintenance, by removing the pylon and engine together, putting strain on the engine mounts leading to stress cracks.
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