Country
Crash of a Boeing 737-275 in Calgary
Date & Time:
Mar 22, 1984 at 0742 LT
Registration:
C-GQPW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Calgary - Edmonton
MSN:
22265/755
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
PW501
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
114
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
7447
Circumstances:
Pacific Western Airlines scheduled early morning flight 501 to Edmonton was pushed-back from the gate at 07:35. After engine start the aircraft taxied to runway 34 for departure. Takeoff was begun at 07:42 from the intersection of runway 34 and taxiway C-1. About 20 seconds into the takeoff roll, at an airspeed of approximately 70 knots, the flightcrew heard a loud bang which was accompanied by a slight veer to the left. The captain immediately rejected the takeoff using brakes and reverse thrust. Both the crew members suspected a tire on the left main landing gear had blown. The captain decided to taxi clear of the runway at taxiway C-4. Approaching C-4, the crew a.o. noted that left engine low pressure unit rpm was indicating 0 per cent. Twenty-three seconds after the initiation of the rejected takeoff, the first officer called clear of the runway on tower frequency: "501 clear here on Charlie 4". The purser then entered the flight deck and reported a fire on the left wing. The control tower then confirmed that there was a fire: "Considerable amount off the back - on the left side engine there - and - eh - it's starting to diminish there. Eh - there's a fire going on the left side." One minute and two seconds had passed since the initiation of the rejected takeoff. Immediately after this the purser further stated that "the whole left-hand side, the whole back side of it is burning". The captain discharged a fire bottle into the engine and the first officer requested emergency equipment. At an elapsed time of 1 minute 36 seconds, the cockpit fire warning bell activated. Simultaneously, the purser re-entered the cockpit and reported that it was getting bad at the back. The captain stopped the aircraft the crew then carried out the procedures for an emergency evacuation, which was initiated at an elapsed time of 1 minute 55 seconds. All 119 occupants were evacuated, among them 29 were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- An uncontained rupture of the left engine thirteenth stage compressor disc occurred approximately 1,300 feet into the take-off roll,
- Failure of the disc was the result of fatigue cracking at three main locations in the rear snap and adjacent to 6 of the 12 tie-bolt holes,
- Fatigue cracking initiated as a result of an unidentified combination of factors which developed progressively over an undefined period of time, following the last major overhaul in May 1981,
- Some stator repair procedures carried out at the last major overhaul were not in accordance with the provisions of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D engine overhaul manual; as a result, deficiencies in the thirteenth stage stator assembly occurred,
- The ruptured piece of the compressor disc exited the engine and penetrated the left lower inboard wing skin, puncturing a fuel cell,
- Fuel leaking from the punctured fuel cell was ignited instantaneously,
- The fuel-fed fire increased in size and engulfed the left wing and aft section of the aircraft.
- An uncontained rupture of the left engine thirteenth stage compressor disc occurred approximately 1,300 feet into the take-off roll,
- Failure of the disc was the result of fatigue cracking at three main locations in the rear snap and adjacent to 6 of the 12 tie-bolt holes,
- Fatigue cracking initiated as a result of an unidentified combination of factors which developed progressively over an undefined period of time, following the last major overhaul in May 1981,
- Some stator repair procedures carried out at the last major overhaul were not in accordance with the provisions of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D engine overhaul manual; as a result, deficiencies in the thirteenth stage stator assembly occurred,
- The ruptured piece of the compressor disc exited the engine and penetrated the left lower inboard wing skin, puncturing a fuel cell,
- Fuel leaking from the punctured fuel cell was ignited instantaneously,
- The fuel-fed fire increased in size and engulfed the left wing and aft section of the aircraft.
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Crash of a Boeing 737-2M2 in Huambo
Date & Time:
Feb 9, 1984
Registration:
D2-TBV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Huambo - Luanda
MSN:
22626
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
136
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Huambo-Albano Machado Airport, while climbing, an explosion occurred in the rear of the cabin. The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to return. Due to the partial failure of the hydraulic system, the crew was unable to lower the flaps and the aircraft landed at high speed. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and lost its undercarriage and both engines before coming to rest 180 meters further. All 142 occupants were evacuated and 15 of them were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a bomb exploded in the rear of the cabin during initial climb. It was placed on board by UNITA rebels.
Crash of a Boeing 737-2M2 in Lubango: 130 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 8, 1983 at 1520 LT
Registration:
D2-TBN
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lubango - Luanda
MSN:
22775
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
123
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
130
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lubango Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 200 feet, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile. The aircraft turned to the left then lost height and crashed in a huge explosion about 800 meters past the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and none of the 130 occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a UNITA SAM-7 surface-to-air missile.
Crash of a Boeing 737-2P6 in Abu Dhabi: 112 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 23, 1983 at 1530 LT
Registration:
A4O-BK
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Karachi – Abu Dhabi – Doha
MSN:
21734
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
GF771
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
106
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
112
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Karachi, the aircraft was approaching Abu Dhabi-Al Bateen Airport in good weather conditions. On short final, the aircraft exploded and crashed shot of runway, bursting into flames. There were no survivors among the 112 occupants. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a bomb that exploded in the cargo compartment. Nevertheless, an ATC controller who was working at Abu Dhabi-Al Bateen Airport at the time of the accident later reported the aircraft had been mistakenly shot down by a surface-to-air missile after UAE soldiers were performing exercises in the vicinity of Al Bateen International Airport.
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Crash of a Boeing 737-2V2 in Cuenca: 119 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 11, 1983 at 0740 LT
Registration:
HC-BIG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Quito - Cuenca
MSN:
22607
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
111
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
119
Circumstances:
On final approach to Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames near the district of Gaullum, about 2 km short of runway 05 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 119 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the flying crew continued the approach below the glide without proper visual contact with the ground. A lack of experience was considered as a contributing factor.
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Crash of a Boeing 737-2B1 in Quelimane
Date & Time:
Mar 28, 1983
Registration:
C9-BAB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Maputo - Quelimane
MSN:
20281
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
104
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Quelimane Airport was initiated by night. On final, the pilot-in-command reduced engine power to idle. At a height of 230 feet, as the airspeed dropped below the speed reference, the stick shaker activated. The captain increased engine power when the aircraft lost height and descended until it struck the ground about 400 meters short of runway. The undercarriage were torn off and the airplane slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 110 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who misjudged speed, distance and altitude on final approach. The crew failed to properly use the Visual Approach Slope Indicators which was considered as a contributing factor.
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Crash of a Boeing 737-2A1C in Manaus: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 22, 1983
Registration:
PP-SNC
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manaus - Manaus
MSN:
21187
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew (one pilot and one instructor) was engaged in a local training flight at Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport. After a simulated asymmetrical power takeoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height. The crew increased engine power but the airplane stalled and crashed in a wooded area located few km from the airfield, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed. It is believed that the aircraft was on its way to São Paulo Airport, carrying a load of televisions.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following findings:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Failure to follow pre-takeoff procedures,
- Inadequate supervision on part of the instructor.
- Poor flight preparation,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Failure to follow pre-takeoff procedures,
- Inadequate supervision on part of the instructor.
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Crash of a Boeing 737-2Q3 in Ishigaki
Date & Time:
Aug 26, 1982 at 1349 LT
Registration:
JA8444
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Naha - Ishigaki
MSN:
21477
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
NU611
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
133
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1666.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
878
Aircraft flight hours:
5056
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Naha Airport at 1309LT on a schedule service (NU611) to Ishigaki Island, carrying 133 passengers and a crew of five. Following an uneventful flight at an altitude of 24,000 feet, the crew was cleared to descend to 8,000 then 3,000 feet on approach. Runway 22 was in use at Ishigaki Airport with wind from 300° at 12 knots and an OAT of 32° C. Landing was completed with crosswinds at a speed of 6 knots above Vref. The aircraft bounced and landed a second time. After touchdown, as the spoilers and reversers seems to be inoperative, the crew decided to shut down both engines, making it impossible to use the anti-skid system. The inner tires on both main gears burst almost simultaneously while at a distance of 125 meters from the runway end. The aircraft skidded to the left, overran and came to rest 145 meters further. All 138 occupants evacuated quickly, among them 49 were injured. Twelve minutes later, one of the engine exploded and caught fire. The airplane was partially destroyed by fire.
Final Report: