American Airlines Flight 587

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American Airlines Flight 587

Aviation Accident Analysis

Naif Alamoudi

4/25/2016

Abstract
This paper explores multiple reports and articles based on the aviation mishap with American Airlines Flight 587. Reports and documents researched have been sourced from credible sources like the FAA and NTSB. This paper examines and applies concepts to fully understand what exactly happened to flight 587 and the technical aspects associated with it.
Synopsis:
The initial Executive Summary from the first NTSB report stated that, “On November 12, 2001, about 0916:15 eastern standard time, American Airlines flight 587, an Airbus Industry A300-605R, N14053, crashed into a residential area of Belle Harbor, New York, shortly after takeoff from …show more content…

The encounter resulted in some pitch and roll oscillations that quickly diminished. Associated rudder movements occurred and were judged to have been within the limits of what the yaw damper could have commanded in response to the wake encounter. Almost immediately a left roll to a bank angle of 17 degrees was initiated, consistent with a left turn required to follow the prescribed departure path. The altitude following the wake encounter was approximately 2,300 feet. Approximately 20 seconds later, while still in the left bank, a second wake encounter was experienced. The bank angle increased from 23 to 25 degrees, and the control wheel moved to 64 degrees right (commanding a decrease in bank angle). At this time the rudder pedals were moved to 100% of their travel, commanding a rudder deflection to the right. The airspeed at this point was 240 knots. The first officer, who was flying the airplane, in a strained voice, called for "max power." The captain asked, "You all right?" to which he replied, and “I'm fine." The captain then commented, "Hang onto it. Hang on to it," to which the first officer repeated his request for maximum power. Almost immediately the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) recorded the sound of a loud thump. It was later concluded …show more content…

This resulted in a rapid buildup of sideslip angle, and therefore a rapid increase in loads on the vertical fin and its ultimate failure.”(FAA) The tail fin and rudder were the first parts found in the wreckage path, the engines followed shortly after and then by the main wreckage impact point which was straight at the intersection of Newport and 131st Street, Belle Haven, New York. Both engines separated from the aircraft before it crashed.

References:
Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Accident Overview. Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/AAR0404.aspx
Accident Threat Categories. Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Accident Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=3
Event Summary. National Transport Safety Board (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/In-Flight_Separation_of_Vertical_Stabilizer_American_Airlines_Flight_587_Airbus_Industrie_A300-605R_N14053_Belle_Harbor_Ne.aspx
Photo copyright NRC Canada - AIAA

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