Incident Overview
Date: Monday 5 August 1974
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47B-25-DK (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Ethiopian Airlines
Registration Number: ET-ABE
Location: Mota Airport (OTA) –
ÿ Ethiopia
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 33
Component Affected: Aircraft control system (ground loop).Aircraft control system (ground loop).
Category: Accident
An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft experienced a ground loop during a scheduled flight from Addis Ababa to Asmara, requiring a ground stop. The pilot attempted a ground loop, resulting in the aircraft skidding sideways to the left and impacting two trees. The aircraft landed in a farm approximately 50 meters from the end of the runway.An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft experienced a ground loop during a scheduled flight from Addis Ababa to Asmara, requiring a ground stop. The pilot attempted a ground loop, resulting in the aircraft skidding sideways to the left and impacting two trees. The aircraft landed in a farm approximately 50 meters from the end of the runway.
Description
The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Addis Ababa to Asmara with intermediate stop at Debre Markos, Mota, Bahdar, Debretabor, Gonder, Metema and Humera. When landing at Mota the pilot, realizing that he would not be able to stop the aircraft on the runway, attempted a ground loop. The aircraft skidded 50 m sideways to the left before leaving the end of the runway, struck two trees on an embankment and came to rest in a farm about 50 m from the end of the runway. The pilot stated that the approach and touchdown, made in slight drizzle conditions, were normal.
Primary Cause
Pilot error ? attempted ground loop despite runway limitations.Pilot error ? attempted ground loop despite runway limitations.Share on:
