N903WA, a DC-10-10, was owned and operated by Western Airlines. It was equipped with three GE CF6 dual-rotor, high by-pass ratio turbofan engines. In addition to required navagational radio and flight director systems, the aircraft was equipped with dual inertial navigation systems (INS). Seating configuration was 24 first class and 246 coach class.
As there was Maintenance Records Group formed, the examination of such documents that would normally be part of an accident investigation of this magnitude was not permitted. Service difficulty reports (SDRs) regarding N903WA for the previous three years were requested and supplied by the FAA. These computer readouts were reviewed in detail, but no particular trend nor pattern of mechanical or electrical problems could be established. Industry DC-10 SDRs for specific areas of concern (flight controls; structures; and electrical, flight guidance and hydraulic systems) were also searched and compared with N902WA reports. While this provided an almost infinte combination of possibilities for speculative thinking, nothing concrete was established.
Prior to departure from Los Angeles the aircraft was fueled to 68,400 lbs (10,209 gallons) of jet A type fuel, with a proposed burn of 41, 580 lbs to Mexico City. The aircraft weight 342,222 lbs at takeoff. The landing weight at Mexico City was approximately 302, 143 lbs. The aircraft was within the allowable center of gravity limitations for operation. |
