Incident Overview

Date: Monday 5 January 1970
Aircraft Type: Convair CV-990-30A-5 Coronado
Owner/operator: Spantax
Registration Number: EC-BNM
Location: ca 1 km SW of Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) – ÿ Sweden
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 10
Component Affected: Aircraft EngineAircraft Engine
Category: Accident
A charter flight to Palma de Mallorca experienced an engine failure on takeoff. The aircraft aborted the takeoff and returned to the gate, undergoing a three-engine ferry flight to Zrich. During takeoff, the nose yawed to the right, which was corrected by reducing engine power. The aircraft rotated at high speed and airspeed, experiencing a sudden drop in airspeed. The aircraft collided with treetops, resulting in a crash. The probable cause was a combination of unexpected loss of visual references during transition, increased drag due to yaw, reduced indicated airspeed caused by a temperature inversion, and wind shear, leading to a large drag increase.A charter flight to Palma de Mallorca experienced an engine failure on takeoff. The aircraft aborted the takeoff and returned to the gate, undergoing a three-engine ferry flight to Zrich. During takeoff, the nose yawed to the right, which was corrected by reducing engine power. The aircraft rotated at high speed and airspeed, experiencing a sudden drop in airspeed. The aircraft collided with treetops, resulting in a crash. The probable cause was a combination of unexpected loss of visual references during transition, increased drag due to yaw, reduced indicated airspeed caused by a temperature inversion, and wind shear, leading to a large drag increase.

Description

During the takeoff for a charter flight to Palma de Mallorca the no. 4 engine developed problems. The takeoff was aborted and the aircraft returned to the gate. Inspection of the engine revealed damage to the compressor. It was decided to perform a three-engine ferry flight to Zrich for an engine-change. At 22:24 hours the aircraft started its takeoff roll on runway 19. During the takeoff roll, the nose yawed to the right. This was corrected by retarding no. 1 engine power from 85% to 80-60%. The aircraft rotated at 134 knots with 27 degrees flaps. While climbing, the aircraft banked 4-6 degrees to the right and the airspeed suddenly dropped to 10 knots below V2 (145kts). The Convair contacted some treetops, banked 10-15deg and crashed 1800 m from the point of lift-off. PROBABLE CAUSE: During a 3-engine take-off the aircraft entered an uncontrollable attitude with increased drag and decreased indicated airspeed owing to the following combined circumstances: – Unexpected, early loss of external visual references after lift off. During transition from visual to instrument flying the pilot lost directional control, this again resulting in increased drag due to yaw. The presence of a temperature inversion reducing thrust and indicated airspeed. – The presence of wind shear causing further decrease of indicated airspeed, which resulted in large drag increase.

Primary Cause

Unexpected loss of visual references during transition, increased drag due to yaw, reduced indicated airspeed, and wind shear.Unexpected loss of visual references during transition, increased drag due to yaw, reduced indicated airspeed, and wind shear.

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