RicardoFG From Canada, joined Feb 2005, 622 posts, RR: 1 Posted (2 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 911 times:
I am an agent for Martinair @ YYZ amd was hearing about the plane crash that happened in FAO in the early 90's and was wondering if anyone could share some info on it for me. I know it was a DC-10 a/c and they say that windshear caused it. Was the plane over the threshold when it crashed? Has FAO had any other major accidents like this? Does FAO location and proximity to the Ocean make it difficult in cases like windshear? Was pilot error in this case?? What else...
I have flown on AC TP NI S4 TS 5G VY EZY CP WS MP KL AZ Z4 TH WD SG EZ ZB
Klm-md11 From Greece, joined Mar 2002, 461 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (2 years 7 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 890 times:
hey dude, try Google and you'll come up with this in seconds:
from airdisaster.com
Following one unsuccesful attempt to land the crew was executing a VOR/DME procedure approach to runway 11 when the aircraft flew through at least 2 microbursts spawned by a large thunderstorm, which was accompanied by heavy rain and low cloud. Following a hard landing the starboard main gear collapsed with fire erupting after the right wing fuel tank ignited. The DC-10 cracked in 2 and came to a rest with the front section laying on its side. The cause of the accident was put down to bad weather conditions and major errors on behalf of the crew who failed to interpret the conditions of the runway and the conditions on final approach.
Quote: PROBABLE CAUSES: "The high rate of descent in the final phase of the approach and the landing made on the right landing gear, which exceeded the structural limitations of the aircraft.; The crosswind, which exceeded the aircrafts limits and which occurred in the final phase of the approach and during landing. The combination of both factors determined stresses which exceeded the structural limitations of the aircraft.
Contributing factors were: The instability of the approach; the premature power reduction, and the sustaining of this condition, probably due to crew action; the incorrect wind information delivered by Approach Control; the absence of an approach light system; the incorrect evaluation by the crew of the runway conditions; CWS mode being switched off at approx. 80ft RA, causing the aircraft to be in manual control in a critical phase of the landing; the delayed action of the crew in increasing power; the degradation of the lift coefficient due to heavy showers." (DGAC Portugal)
The Netherlands Aviation Safety Board commented that the probable cause should read: "a sudden and unexpected wind variation in direction and speed (windshear) in the final stage of the approach. Subsequently a high rate of descent and an extreme lateral displacement developed, causing a hard landing on the right-hand main gear, which in combination with a considerable crab angle exceeded the aircraft structural limitations.
Contributing factors: From the forecast and the prevailing weather the crew of MP495 did not expect the existence of windshear phenomena.; The premature large power reduction and sustained flight idle thrust, most probable due to crew action.; CWS mode being disengaged at approx. 80ft RA, causing the aircraft to be in manual control at a critical stage in the landing phase."
Fifty-six out of 340 aboard died.
It was the worst accident at Faro ever, likely the only one for that matter.
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