Nigerian air crash

A plane identified as an MD-83 crashed in Lagos, Nigeria while attempting to land.

   The MD-80 versions were modifications on the old DC-9.  The vertical stabilizer was mounted at the top of the vertical stabilizer.  The entire horizontal stabilizer was designed to rotate relative to the airflow.  To accomplish this, there is a jack screw and powered nut assembly.  The jack screw was attached to the stabilizer and forced its movement.  The nut assembly was powered and caused the motion. There was an accident off the coast of California where the nut stripped and the screw assembly came loose causing the stabilizer to flap freely and causing the aircraft to crash causing the loss of all lives on board.
   The Lagos accident seemed to involve the loss of attitude control, so the same assembly would be the first cause of failure to examine.