Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 8 January 1981
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-188A Electra
Owner/operator: SAHSA – Servicio Areo de Honduras SA
Registration Number: HR-SAW
Location: 1,5 km W of Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA) –
ÿ Guatemala
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Electrical generatorElectrical generator
Category: Accident
An Electra aircraft, en route from La Aurora to Honduras, experienced a catastrophic failure after takeoff due to a damaged electrical generator and a loss of hydraulic pressure. The pilot initiated a return flight to La Aurora, but the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into nearby houses.An Electra aircraft, en route from La Aurora to Honduras, experienced a catastrophic failure after takeoff due to a damaged electrical generator and a loss of hydraulic pressure. The pilot initiated a return flight to La Aurora, but the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into nearby houses.
Description
After the plane arrived at La Aurora with one engine shut down and one of the electrical generators malfunctioning, the crew decided to ferry the aircraft to Honduras for repairs. The passengers deplaned and the Electra took off for a three-engined ferry flight. Shortly after take off, the pilot reported a total loss of hydraulic pressure and difficulty to control the plane. The Electra began to return to La Aurora, but the plane lost altitude until it crashed into some houses 1 mile west of the airport. PROBABLE CAUSE: A second electrical generator was damaged during the take off roll, causing a lack of power to keep the hydraulic pressure above minimums. It was also concluded that the flying controls were mistrimmed.
Primary Cause
Damage to a second electrical generator during takeoff resulted in a lack of power to maintain hydraulic pressure, leading to loss of control and subsequent crash.Damage to a second electrical generator during takeoff resulted in a lack of power to maintain hydraulic pressure, leading to loss of control and subsequent crash.Share on:
