DC10 Safety
 

My husband and I are going to be traveling to Germany in the Spring. I found out the plane we will be flying over on is a MD DC10. We flew over to Britain on a MD 11 a couple of years ago. I would like to know of any information on safety issues concerning the DC10. We will be flying Northwest Airlines and I have never flown with them before either. I would like any input from anyone on their experiences with the DC10 or Northwest. I like to be informed about the planes we fly on and new airlines we haven't used before. If I receive negative information I will not hesitate to change my air travel plans for the Spring. I have found this forum awesome for getting travel information. It has proven to be a priceless source of information to me. Thank you Fodors and all those who have shared their knowledge in the past.

Robbie, <BR> <BR>I suppose you are looking for data like that found in this table: <BR> <BR>www.ntsb.gov/aviation/Paxfatal.htm <BR> <BR>The Sioux City crash of 1989 is the best known accident involving a DC10. Do you find something useful in data like these? I am curious - - how do you get to the airport - - since the risk of a fatal automobile accident is about 5000 times greater than an aviation accident. <BR> <BR>I am formerly a Hoosier too, by the way... <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

15 out of 7,800,000 DC10 flights have had fatalities (see http://www.airsafe.com/events/models/rate_mod.htm), but only a few of the 15 resulted from aircraft flaws. You don't have anything to worry about. <BR> <BR>NW Airlines is OK as long as your flight doesn't involve Detroit in a snow storm. I've flown them more than any other airline and haven't any problems (I know a lot of people don't agree). <BR> <BR>Trip.com is a good site for airline info and opinions (http://www.trip.com/community/meep/i...65,1-1,00.html).

I have flown this flight to Frankfurt on a NWA DC 10 several times without incident. Always pleased.

I live in the Twin Cities and have NWA for years. They will run late in a snow storm (as will everyone) but other than that have had no problems. Nice people, even decent food.

Wouldn't take a *free* flight on Northwest, after they ended a Boston to LA flight in Minneapolis or some godforsaken place like that without any explanation. Flight attendants disappeared. No one at the gate. Tough s**t attitude by any Northwest employee in the vicinity. Told to stay at a hotel and flight would resume in a.m. Ten stranded passengers. Husband was only going for 3 days to see his mother. Will never, and have never yet, flown NW again.

Northworst stinks !!! San Francisco to South Bend 12 1/2 hrs in May.

DC10's are unexceptional planes but generally safe. NWA is fine, I fly them all the time out of DTW and have never had any major problems. Even on 1/2/99 (I was leaving Detroit, thank goodness.) Occasional delays, food is OK. You'll be fine. Enjoy Europe