Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 29 March 1979
Aircraft Type: Fairchild F-27
Owner/operator: Quebecair
Registration Number: C-FQBL
Location: 1,3 km from Quebec Airport, QC (YQB) – ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 24
Component Affected: No specific component is identified as the primary cause.No specific component is identified as the primary cause.
Category: Accident
A Fairchild F-27 aircraft operated by Quebecair crashed shortly after takeoff from Quebec Airport, QC (YQB), Canada. Three crew members and twenty-one passengers were on board. The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power due to a low-pressure impeller failure, leading to a significant loss of lift and control. This resulted in a shift in the aircraft’s center of gravity, causing it to impact the ground below the minimum control speed. The incident highlights a critical failure in the aircraft’s control system and aerodynamic configuration.A Fairchild F-27 aircraft operated by Quebecair crashed shortly after takeoff from Quebec Airport, QC (YQB), Canada. Three crew members and twenty-one passengers were on board. The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power due to a low-pressure impeller failure, leading to a significant loss of lift and control. This resulted in a shift in the aircraft’s center of gravity, causing it to impact the ground below the minimum control speed. The incident highlights a critical failure in the aircraft’s control system and aerodynamic configuration.

Description

A Fairchild F-27, operated by Quebecair, was destroyed when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Quebec Airport, QC (YQB), Canada. There were 3 crew and 21 passengers aboard. 3 crew and 14 passengers suffered fatal injuries. 6 passengers suffered serious injuries. 1 passenger escaped with minor or no injuries. Quebecair Flight 255 departed Quebec Airport on a domestic flight to Montreal-Dorval International Airport, QC (YUL). Shortly after lift-off the low pressure impeller from the no. 2 engine burst, causing the forward part of the no. 2 engine to separate. The gear couldn’t be raised because of engine debris damage to the electronic gear selection circuitry. This, including the exposed engine and lower cowl, increased the drag. In this configuration the aircraft wasn’t capable of out-climbing obstacles straight ahead nor capable of maintaining altitude during the right hand turn. Engine separation and passenger movement resulted in the center of gravity shifting beyond its aft limit. The airspeed then decreased until the aircraft struck the ground at or below the minimum control speed (Vmc). The final report did not contain a Probable Cause statement.

Primary Cause

Low-pressure impeller failure leading to loss of lift and control.Low-pressure impeller failure leading to loss of lift and control.

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