In the history of aviation accidents, some tragedies acquire strange stories that linger long after investigators determine what went wrong. One of the most unsettling accounts linked to a major air disaster involves American Airlines Flight 191, the catastrophic crash near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on 25 May 1979 that killed 273 people.
The crash occurred moments after the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 began its takeoff from O’Hare. The aircraft’s left engine separated from the wing, damaging systems that helped the crew understand what was happening. The airplane climbed briefly, rolled sharply, and struck the ground near the airport. Everyone on board was killed, along with two people on the ground, bringing the death toll to 273.
Investigators focused on the engine and the structure that attached it to the wing. The inquiry determined that damage had been introduced during a maintenance procedure in which the engine and its pylon were removed together. That method placed stress on the assembly and allowed a crack to develop. During takeoff, the damaged attachment failed and the engine came awayRead more below.
