When lightning strikes twice: The story of American 96 and Turkish 981

The DC-10 and Jumbo Jet Race

Before we analyse the two incidents, first, we need to examine the aircraft in particular. The McDonald Douglas DC-10. The story of the DC-10 begins in the 1960s America, the jet age is in its golden age with aircraft like the Boeing 707, Douglas DC-8, Caravelle and Convair 990 commanding the skies across the world. Despite their prosperity, the world needed a new form of the jet airliner, an aeroplane which could carrier more people, more efficiently and fly further, known as the 'jumbo jet' to cope with the more elevated levels of traffic and airlines across the world are demanding them. This led to a race with the three major aircraft manufactures in the United States to develop the next jumbo jet widebody. 

The first to put their hat into the ring was the Boeing Corporation who with a partnership with America's biggest airline Pan American World Airways. At first, they weren't too ardent on developing what will become the legendary Boeing 747, after concentrating so much on their Supersonic Transportation (SST) concept the Boeing 2707. However, when the funding for the SST ceased, with assistance with Pan am with research, design and development, the 747 was launched at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington in 1969 to a formidable and astonished crowd, who never contemplated an aircraft that size could take-off but it did and was worldwide news. Airlines adored it, especially the American giants of Pan American World Airways and Trans World Airlines (TWA). The 747, out of all the jumbo jets became the champion and it still flying to this day as both a passenger, military and cargo jet. However, as far-reaching the order list was with airlines across the world arranging their orders including BOAC, Aer Lingus and Qantas, there were several airlines that wasn't too enthusiastic with the 747, including, American Airlines who recognised the 747 was too big and they worried about succeeding to fly the 747 at ample capacity on their routes. 

This is where another corporation steps into the ring. Douglas Corporation (Which became Mcdonald Douglas following a merger in 1967). American Airlines were in discussion with the company to build their new premier airliner. Douglas Corporation was well established for developing profitable and safe airliners, from the long-haul DC-8 in 1958 and the short-haul DC-9 in 1965, the airliner is advertised and known as the DC-10. However, American Airlines were also in negotiations with another well-known aircraft manufacturer Lockheed who were developing another airliner the Lockheed L-10-11 Tristar. On paper, the two aeroplanes were very comparable. Both were acknowledged as a trijet configuration with two engines on the wings and one engine situated in the tail section, both could carry similar number of passengers and both could travel long range. However, the DC-10 was the victor amidst the two airliners for a number of reasons. The Douglas Corporation was well established in terms of jet airliners so there production, design and development was less expensive as the DC-10 used already instituted and productive manufacturing practices, whilst the Lockheed Tri-star was the companies the first jet-powered airliner, having only developed military aircraft and propeller-driven airlines during the 1950s, in particular the constellation and Electra. Whilst the DC-10 was traditional, the Tri-star was innovative with high advanced control systems, engines and an autopilot that can land its self without pilot intervention. This made the L-10-11 more expensive and caused a lot of obstructions to the program, particularly, with the engines, which were manufactured by Rolls Royce which was fighting to stay afloat financially at the time, making the situation more unfavourable to the Tri-star program, additionally, to make the situation worse, American Airlines decided to place their order in favour of the less complicated and cheaper DC-10. 

Although the Tri-star was a triumphant airliner in its own right, selling hundreds of units since the first flight in 1970, flying for well-known airlines, for example, Delta Airlines, TWA, Eastern and PSA. The DC-10 was always the prevailing tri-jet in the market having a wider range of model types, in addition to a military fuel tanker and cargo variant which is still flying today with airlines like UPS and FedEx. The Tri-star was Lockheed's last endeavour to build an airliner. The DC-10 was manufactured in Long Beach, California and had its first flight in 1970. The airliner was first used by American Airlines and United Airline who were proud to have the DC-10 as their flagship carrier. Pilots adored it's flight controls, the airlines loved its performance and lower maintenance costs over its competitors and predecessor, the DC-8 and the passengers loved the capacious and cosy interior. However, the DC-10 sparkle with soon begin to dim with what was to come.