Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 27 April 2002
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40F
Owner/operator: Centurion Air Cargo
Registration Number: N141WE
Location: San Salvador-Comalapa International Airport (SAL) – ÿ El Salvador
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Hydraulic lines, mechanical control cables, pulleys, push rods, electrical wiring, and the left wing.Hydraulic lines, mechanical control cables, pulleys, push rods, electrical wiring, and the left wing.
Category: Accident
A flight experienced a hydraulic system failure during a rotation, resulting in a landing and subsequent stop. Extensive damage to the left wing, specifically hydraulic lines and mechanical control cables, was observed. A blown tire and damaged tread were also identified. Evidence suggests a potential Boeing 727 engine cascade was recovered.A flight experienced a hydraulic system failure during a rotation, resulting in a landing and subsequent stop. Extensive damage to the left wing, specifically hydraulic lines and mechanical control cables, was observed. A blown tire and damaged tread were also identified. Evidence suggests a potential Boeing 727 engine cascade was recovered.

Description

At rotation, the flightcrew heard a sound described as a ‘thump’ or ‘bang’. After becoming airborne, hydraulic pressure was lost on the nos. 1 and 2 systems. The flightcrew lowered the landing gear and returned to a landing on the takeoff runway. The airplane was brought to a stop and shut down. Examination found extensive damage in the left wing, above the left main landing gear, that included fractured nos. 1 and 2 hydraulic lines, and fractures or damaged mechanical control cables, pulleys, push rods, and electrical wiring. The no. 5 tire was found blown, and tread on the no. 1 tire damaged, both on the left main mount. Marks of a reverser cascade, identified as coming from a Boeing 727 engine, were found impressed into the runway, and a cascade was recovered in a search of the takeoff runway. Pieces of what appeared to be aluminum and other aircraft debris were also found on and near the takeoff runway.

Primary Cause

Hydraulic system failure during a rotation.Hydraulic system failure during a rotation.

Share on:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *