Incident Overview
Date: Friday 8 August 1997
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30
Owner/operator: AOM French Airlines
Registration Number: F-GNEM
Location: over Northern Atlantic Ocean –
ÿ Atlantic Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 237
Component Affected: DC-10 aircraft, elevator controls.DC-10 aircraft, elevator controls.
Investigating Agency: BEABEA
Category: Accident
A DC-10 aircraft entered a cumulus cloud and experienced significant load variations, resulting in injuries to passengers. The pilot attempted to stabilize the aircraft by adjusting elevator controls, exacerbating the load fluctuations. The unusual cloud formation, with its unpredictable load, was the likely cause of the accident.A DC-10 aircraft entered a cumulus cloud and experienced significant load variations, resulting in injuries to passengers. The pilot attempted to stabilize the aircraft by adjusting elevator controls, exacerbating the load fluctuations. The unusual cloud formation, with its unpredictable load, was the likely cause of the accident.
Description
The DC-10 entered the head of a cumulus cloud and was subjected to load factors varying between 1.96g and -0.51g. Most of those who were injured did not have their seat belts fastened. The pilot tried to stabilize the aircraft by moving the elevator controls contrary to the motion of the aircraft. This created wide variations in load factor. Probable cause The accident was caused by the aircraft entering the head of a Cumulonimbus cloud that the crew had neither foreseen nor identified. Aggravating factors were the strong variations in load factor caused by the reactions of the pilot on duty and the fact that many passengers were detached.
Primary Cause
Unforeseen cloud formation and unpredictable load variations caused by the pilot’s actions.Unforeseen cloud formation and unpredictable load variations caused by the pilot’s actions.Share on:
