Crash of a Boeing 737-2Q3 in Ishigaki

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1982 at 1349 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8444
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Naha - Ishigaki
MSN:
21477
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
NU611
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
133
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7714
Captain / Total hours on type:
1666.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4588
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:

Crash of a Boeing 737-2A1 in Brasília: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SMY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
São Paulo – Brasília
MSN:
20970
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
VP234
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
112
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The approach to Brasília was initiated in poor visibility due to rain falls. On short final, the crew failed to realize that the aircraft attitude was wrong. In a nose-down attitude, the aircraft landed hard, causing the nose gear to collapse. The airplane went out of control, veered of runway and came to rest, broken in two. Two passengers were killed, 20 occupants were injured and 96 others escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew suffered an optical illusion on short final.

Crash of a Boeing 737-222 in Washington DC: 78 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1982 at 1601 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N62AF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Washington DC - Tampa - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
19556/130
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
QH090
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
74
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Captain / Total flying hours:
8300
Captain / Total hours on type:
1852.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3353
Copilot / Total hours on type:
992
Aircraft flight hours:
23608
Aircraft flight cycles:
29549
Circumstances:
Air Florida Flight 90 was scheduled to leave Washington National Airport at 14:15 EST for a flight to Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL), with an intermediate stop at the Tampa, FL (TPA). The aircraft had arrived at gate 12 as Flight 95 from Miami, FL, at 13:29. Because of snowfall, the airport was closed for snow removal from 13:38 to 14:53. At about 14:20 maintenance personnel began deicing the left side of the fuselage with deicing fluid Type II because the captain wanted to start the deicing just before the airport was scheduled to reopen (at 14:30) so that he could get in line for departure. Fluid had been applied to an area of about 10 feet when the captain terminated the operation because the airport was not going to reopen at 14:30. Between 14:45 and 14:50, the captain requested that the deicing operation be resumed. The left side of the aircraft was deiced first. No covers or plugs were installed over the engines or airframe openings during deicing operations. At 15:15, the aircraft was closed up and the jet way was retracted and the crew received push-back clearance at 15:23. A combination of ice, snow, and glycol on the ramp and a slight incline prevented the tug, which was not equipped with chains, from moving the aircraft. Then, contrary to flight manual guidance, the flight crew used reverse thrust in an attempt to move the aircraft from the ramp. This resulted in blowing snow which might have adhered to the aircraft. This didn't help either, so the tug was replaced and pushback was done at 15:35. The aircraft finally taxied to runway 36 at 15:38. Although contrary to flight manual guidance, the crew attempted to deice the aircraft by intentionally positioning the aircraft near the exhaust of the aircraft ahead in line (a New York Air DC-9). This may have contributed to the adherence of ice on the wing leading edges and to the blocking of the engine’s Pt2 probes. At 15:57:42, after the New York Air aircraft was cleared for takeoff, the captain and first officer proceeded to accomplish the pre-takeoff checklist, including verification of the takeoff engine pressure ratio (EPR) setting of 2.04 and indicated airspeed bug settings. Takeoff clearance was received at 15:58. Although the first officer expressed concern that something was 'not right' to the captain four times during the takeoff, the captain took no action to reject the takeoff. The aircraft accelerated at a lower-than-normal rate during takeoff, requiring 45 seconds and nearly 5,400 feet of runway, 15 seconds and nearly 2,000 feet more than normal, to reach lift-off speed. The aircraft initially achieved a climb, but failed to accelerate after lift-off. The aircraft’s stall warning stick shaker activated almost immediately after lift-off and continued until impact. The aircraft encountered stall buffet and descended to impact at a high angle of attack. At about 16.01, the aircraft struck the heavily congested northbound span of the 14th Street Bridge and plunged into the ice-covered Potomac River. It came to rest on the west end of the bridge 0.75 nmi from the departure end of runway 36. When the aircraft struck the bridge, it struck six occupied automobiles and a boom truck before tearing away a 41-foot section of the bridge wall and 97 feet of the bridge railings. Four persons in vehicles on the bridge were killed; four were injured, one seriously.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's failure to use engine anti-ice during ground operation and takeoff, their decision to take off with snow/ice on the airfoil surfaces of the aircraft, and the captain’s failure to reject the takeoff during the early stage when his attention was called to anomalous engine instrument readings. Contributing to the accident were the prolonged ground delay between deicing and the receipt of ATC takeoff clearance during which the airplane was exposed to continual precipitation, the known inherent pitch up characteristics of the B-737 aircraft when the leading edge is contaminated with even small amounts of snow or ice, and the limited experience of the flight crew in jet transport winter operations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-222 in Sanyi: 110 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1981 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
B-2603
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Taipei - Kaohsiung
MSN:
19939
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
FE103
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
104
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
110
Aircraft flight cycles:
33313
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Taipei-Songshan Airport bound for Kaohsiung. Fourteen minutes later, while cruising at FL220, radar contact was lost with the airplane and the crew did not send any distress message. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent, suffered an explosive cabin decompression, partially disintegrated in the air and crashed in Sanyi, in the Miaoli County. Debris scattered on a large area (10 km2) and all 110 occupants were killed, among them the Japanese writer Kuniko Mukōda.
Probable cause:
Extensive corrosion damage in the lower fuselage structures, and at a number of locations there were corrosion penetrated through pits, holes and cracks due to intergranular corrosion and skin thinning exfoliation corrosion, and in addition, the possible existence of undetected cracks because of the great number of pressurization cycles of the aircraft (a total of 33,313 landings), interaction of these defects and the damage had so deteriorated that rapid fracture occurred at a certain flight altitude and pressure differential resulting rapid decompression and sudden break of passenger compartment floor beams and connecting frames, cutting control cables and electrical wiring. And eventually loss of power, loss of control, midair disintegration.

Crash of a Boeing 737-293 in Santa Ana

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1981 at 1735 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N468AC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Jose - Santa Ana
MSN:
20334/232
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
OC336
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
105
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
11000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
28
Aircraft flight hours:
27566
Circumstances:
At 1644 PST Flight 336 took off from San Jose for a flight to Santa Ana. 48 Minutes later, the crew received a clearance for a visual approach to runway 19R. While Flight 336 approached, the controller cleared Air California Flight 931 for a runway 19R takeoff. When recognizing the hazard, the controller ordered Flight 336 to abort the landing and go-around and Flight 931 to abort the takeoff. Flight 931 rejected its takeoff, but Flight 336 landed with the gear retracted. The 737 left the runway surface at 900 feet past the threshold and skidded another 1,170 feet before coming to rest 115 feet to the right of the centreline. The aircraft lost its both engines and came to rest, broken in two. All 110 occupants were evacuated, four of them were injured.
Probable cause:
The captain’s failure to immediately initiate a go-around when instructed to do so by the tower’s air traffic controller and his subsequent failure to correctly execute the specified go-around procedure which resulted in the retraction of the landing gear after the aircraft touched down on the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-2M2C in Benguela

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D2-TAA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda - Benguela
MSN:
21172
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
DT444
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
128
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Benguela Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low. On short final, the airplane struck the ground 4 meters short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off. The airplane slid for about 900 meters then turn slightly to the right, lost its left engine and right wing before coming to rest in flames. All 134 occupants were evacuated, among them 34 were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Lack of VASIs and threshold markings caused the pilot's inability to follow the correct approach slope.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2A8 in Madras

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1979 at 1159 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-ECR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Trivandrum - Madras
MSN:
20962/380
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
61
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14769
Circumstances:
The flight for 35 minutes after takeoff from Trivandrum Airport was normal and uneventful. After receiving clearance from Madras, the aircraft commenced descent from a cruising altitude of 27,000 feet. Soon thereafter, a loud explosion was heard from the forward lavatory area. The cockpit and front portion of cabin were filled with smoke and cabin lights went off. There was completed instrument and electrical failure. The aircraft with undercarriage down made a flapless approach and touched down at a distance of 2,500 feet beyond threshold of runway 25 at Madras Airport. The aircraft overshot the runway, ploughing through kutcha grassy field and nullah. After the accident came to a halt, the passengers evacuated through forward and rear doors. The aircraft was destroyed due to inflight explosion and subsequent post crash overrun. The fire started on starboard side after the aircraft came to a halt and damaged the starboard wing. 14 occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the denotation of an explosive device in the forward lavatory of the aircraft. The aircraft overshot the runway due to high speed of touchdown, non-availability of reverse thrust and antiskid system, due to systems failure consequent on explosion.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2A8 in Hyderabad: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1978 at 1042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-EAL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hyderabad - New Delhi
MSN:
20485/277
YOM:
1971
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
126
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After liftoff from runway 09 at Hyderabad-Begumpet Airport, during initial climb, the captain noticed severe vibrations as the leading edges were not properly deployed. After the undercarriage were raised, the captain decided to land back. The airplane belly landed, slid for about 940 meters, overran, struck a perimeter fence and came to rest in flames in a grassy area. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. 31 passengers were injured while 100 other occupants escaped unhurt. A passenger as well as three people cutting grass near the boundary fence were killed.
Probable cause:
Severe vibrations and decision to attempt an emergency landing following incorrect deployment of the leading edges for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Boeing 737-229C in Charleroi

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1978 at 1807 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OO-SDH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Charleroi - Charleroi
MSN:
20914/396
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
6983
Aircraft flight cycles:
7424
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local training flight at Charleroi-Gosselies Airport and was carrying a crew of three (one instructor and two student pilots) who just landed from Brussels. Both students were going to practice ILS approaches to runway 25 at Charleroi-Gosselies Airport (CRL) followed by a touch-and-go. The initial six approaches were uneventful. The students then changed seats. The second student's first approach and touch-and-go were uneventful. During the second touch-and-go a flock of birds (ring doves) were observed crossing the runway. Several birds were ingested as the airplane was rotating. The instructor took over control and attempted to continue takeoff. The airplane failed to respond to his control inputs and seemed to decelerate. He then decided to abort the takeoff. There was insufficient runway length available so the Boeing overran, struck localiser antennas and skidded. It lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames on a road located about 320 meters past the runway end. All three occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the interruption of the takeoff maneuver at the time of the impact of birds, followed by a stop for undetermined reasons. The deceleration due to braking prevented the aircraft to respond to the action of the pilot-instructor using the ailerons. The takeoff was interrupted while the remaining runway length was insufficient to stop the aircraft.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2A1 in São Paulo

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1978 at 2120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SMX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - São Paulo
MSN:
20969
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
VP005
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport at 2015LT on flight VP005 to São Paulo. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was unable to lower the undercarriage and decided to complete a belly landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane slid for few hundred meters before coming to rest in flames onto the runway. All 44 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.