Incident Overview

Description
Flight RCN302 took off from Oostende (OST), Belgium at 03:28 with a cargo of 35 tons of electronics. Heading south over Chimay, Belgium while at FL240 the aircraft encountered turbulence. The no. 3 engine detached, forcing the crew to return to Oostende. A holding pattern was flown to burn up fuel. While holding the airplane also suffered hydraulical problems. Finally an emergency landing was carried out at Oostende at 05:44. The plane overshot runway 26 by 100 m and came to rest just next to the localizer antenna. Laboratory analyses revealed the presence of a fatigue crack on the inner mid spar fitting of engine #3. The crack has been present for a reasonable time. The Airworthiness Directive 93-11-02 asks the replacement of the fittings by improved model at least for July 97. The fittings of engine #3 were from the old design. Due to the non application of AD 93-11-02, the aircraft was in a non-airworthy condition.
Primary Cause
Non-compliance with Airworthiness Directive 93-11-02 regarding engine fitting replacement, leading to a compromised aircraft state.Non-compliance with Airworthiness Directive 93-11-02 regarding engine fitting replacement, leading to a compromised aircraft state.Share on: