Incident Overview

Date: Friday 23 September 1977
Aircraft Type: Learjet 36A
Owner/operator: Arab Wings
Registration Number: JY-AFC
Location: Amman-Marka International Airport (ADJ) – ÿ Jordan
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Left wingLeft wing
Category: Accident
A Learjet experienced a rapid left wing drop after takeoff from Runway 24, resulting in a descent and subsequent impact on hard ground in an inverted position. The aircraft’s right roll was likely caused by a combination of factors, including a potential fuel imbalance at the time of takeoff, and the inability of the pilot to effectively control the aircraft’s yaw using rudder.A Learjet experienced a rapid left wing drop after takeoff from Runway 24, resulting in a descent and subsequent impact on hard ground in an inverted position. The aircraft’s right roll was likely caused by a combination of factors, including a potential fuel imbalance at the time of takeoff, and the inability of the pilot to effectively control the aircraft’s yaw using rudder.

Description

The left wing dropped after takeoff from runway 24 and the Learjet entered a descent with slow roll to the right until it impacted the ground in an inverted position on hard ground approximately 8 feet north of the parallel taxiway. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The highest probability centres around a possible fuel imbalance at the time of take-off. As the aircraft was observed dropping a left wing very rapidly with an eventual recovery still in climb attitude, the actual cause of continuing right roll cannot be explained unless gyroscopic forces were assisted by the use of right rudder. Although not conclusive, tests were carried out by a senior flight crew member of Arab Wings in a LearJet simulator set up with the data applicable to the aircraft and field conditions at the time of the accident. Using maximum fuel imbalance condition the test crew experienced similar results and loss of control through right roll owing to inability to centre rudder control after wings level, as stated by the pilot of the simulated flight”

Primary Cause

Possible fuel imbalance at the time of take-off.Possible fuel imbalance at the time of take-off.

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