Airplane Bolt That Fell Through Roof of Home Identified as Part of a DC-10
Investigators have determined that an airplane part that penetrated the roof of a house east of Los Angeles International Airport last week came from a DC-10.
The 5-inch long, 1-inch wide anti-rotation bolt was part of a plane’s brake assembly, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elle Brekke.
“We’re looking to determine if this is a one-time situation, or that all similar aircraft might be prone to the problem,” she said.
The airline or the mechanic who worked on the DC-10 jetliner could face civil penalties if the mishap is tied to poor maintenance, Brekke said. She declined to identify the airline pending completion of an investigation, which she said would take about three weeks.
The bolt fell Aug. 14 as the plane was heading for LAX, damaging an air conditioner in the Colden Avenue home of Blanche Repert, 81. No one was injured on the ground, and the plane landed safely.
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