Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 20 December 2016
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727-2J0 (F) Advanced
Owner/operator: Aerosucre Colombia
Registration Number: HK-4544
Location: 7,5 km W of Puerto Carre¤o-Germ n Olano Airport (PCR) – ÿ Colombia
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Boeing 727 Aircraft – Specifically, the right main landing gear, engine No. 3, and hydraulic system.Boeing 727 Aircraft – Specifically, the right main landing gear, engine No. 3, and hydraulic system.
Investigating Agency: AerocivilAerocivil
Category: Accident
On October 26, 2016, a Boeing 727 cargo plane, operated by Aerosucre Colombia, crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Carre¤o Airport in Colombia. The aircraft, carrying 19,820 pounds of cargo, was hijacked by a Cessna 208 and an Embraer ERJ-170 passenger plane at 15:00 hours local time. The wind at the time was approximately 010 degrees at 8 knots. Following the takeoff, the aircraft became uncontrolled, exhibiting a 180-degree turn and attempting takeoff. A blind transmission was issued, indicating an imminent departure. The aircraft then executed a 180-degree turn and initiated takeoff, but the right main landing gear separated, causing a loss of power in engine No. 3, leading to a hydraulic fluid leakage. The aircraft impacted flat terrain, resulting in significant damage to the perimeter fence and a road, hitting a shed, and a tree. The aircraft successfully ascended to 790 feet altitude, then descended slightly, and subsequently impacted, causing flames.On October 26, 2016, a Boeing 727 cargo plane, operated by Aerosucre Colombia, crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Carre¤o Airport in Colombia. The aircraft, carrying 19,820 pounds of cargo, was hijacked by a Cessna 208 and an Embraer ERJ-170 passenger plane at 15:00 hours local time. The wind at the time was approximately 010 degrees at 8 knots. Following the takeoff, the aircraft became uncontrolled, exhibiting a 180-degree turn and attempting takeoff. A blind transmission was issued, indicating an imminent departure. The aircraft then executed a 180-degree turn and initiated takeoff, but the right main landing gear separated, causing a loss of power in engine No. 3, leading to a hydraulic fluid leakage. The aircraft impacted flat terrain, resulting in significant damage to the perimeter fence and a road, hitting a shed, and a tree. The aircraft successfully ascended to 790 feet altitude, then descended slightly, and subsequently impacted, causing flames.

Description

A Boeing 727 cargo plane, operated by Aerosucre Colombia, was destroyed when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Carre¤o Airport in Colombia. One of the six crew members survived the accident. The aircraft arrived at Puerto Carre¤o at 14:48 hours local time after a cargo flight from Bogot . Some 20,423 pounds of cargo was offloaded and new cargo was loaded for the return leg to Bogot . Meanwhile, at 15:00 hours the aircraft became uncontrolled as had been published per Notam. In the minutes before the planned departure, a Cessna 208 and an Embraer ERJ-170 passenger plane took off from runway 07. The wind at the time was about 010 degrees at 8 knots. Subsequently the Boeing 727 taxied onto the runway, backtracking to the runway 25 threshold. At the same time the crew worked the respective checklists prior to takeoff and made a blind radio transmission, stating their imminent departure from Puerto Carre¤o. The aircraft then made a 180ø turn and aligned for takeoff. Flaps were set at 30øand 6« elevator trim units were selected. The flight crew then noted that they did not know the direction and intensity of the wind. Takeoff was commenced at 17:18 hours. After travelling the entire length of the 1800 m long runway, the aircraft had not become airborne. It travelled another 95 meters over grass until it struck a section of the perimeter fence. It crossed a road, hit a shed and a tree. The aircraft became airborne, but as a result of the impact, the right hand main landing gear had separated, the trailing inboard right flap was damaged, a loss of power in engine no.3 occurred and a leakage of hydraulic fluid from System A was noticed by the crew. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 790 feet and entered a slight right hand descending turn until it impacted flat terrain, bursting into flames. The weight and balance manifest of the accident flight was not found among the remains of the aircraft, nor was a copy of it in the company’s office. It is presumed that the aircraft took off from Puerto Carre¤o with 19,820 pounds distributed on 9 pallets. According to the flight plan, there were five persons on board. In fact there was a sixth person on the flight. A video posted on Youtube in October 2016 shows a takeoff of an Aerosucre Boeing 727 at Puerto Carre¤o Airport barely clearing the perimeter fence. Probable causes: Inadequate flight planning by the operator of the aircraft, and by the crew, by failure to properly perform dispatch procedures, take-off performance calculations and verification of limitations imposed by operational conditions of the aerodrome according to the configuration of the aircraft. Wrong crew decision making by not considering a key aspect affecting aircraft performance, such as the prevailing tailwind at take-off. Erroneous selection of take-off speeds V1/VR and V2, by the crew, corresponding to an aircraft without modification in its flap system, which led to rotate the aircraft with five more knots of speed, increasing the takeoff run. Erroneous rotation technique applied by the Pilot, delayed maneuver that extended the long takeoff run even more. Loss of components (landing gear, trailing inboard flap right) and damage to functional systems (loss of engine power No.3 and hydraulic system) necessary to control the aircraft in flight. Loss of control in flight generated by asymmetries of lift, power and emptying of the main hydraulic systems that exceeded the capacity of the crew and made it impossible to maintain adequate directional control and stability of the aircraft. Contributing Factors: Non-compliance with the Aeronautical Regulations by the operating company of the aircraft, operating to an aerodrome unsuitable for the operation of B727-200 equipment, which, in addition, was not authorized for that type of aircraft in the company’s Operating Specifications, approved by the Aeronautical Authority. Lack of standardization and supervision of the operating company of the aircraft, allowing the operation of the B727-200 equipment, to which a modification had been applied to the flap system, with the reference tables of speeds corresponding to the aircraft without modification. Execution of take-off with a weight that exceeded the maximum value established in the aircraft performance charts for the conditions prevailing at the Germ n Olano airport. Omission of the crew by not activating the Standby hydraulic system, which might have allowed emergency hydraulic pressure, to regain control of the aircraft. Lack of supervision by the Aeronautical Authority, which allowed for several years the operation of equipment B727-200 of the company operating the aircraft at the Germ n Olano aerodrome in Puerto Carre¤o, when the characteristics of the aerodrome did not allow it and without the operator being authorized to operate equipment B727-200 in that aerodrome.

Source of Information

http://caracol.com.co/radio/2016/12/21/nacional/1482276054_176099.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syl3tCqKbSshttp://caracol.com.co/radio/2016/12/21/nacional/1482276054_176099.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syl3tCqKbSs

Primary Cause

Inadequate flight planning by the operator of the aircraft and the crew, including insufficient dispatch procedures, take-off performance calculations, and verification of operational limitations, compounded by a failure to adequately consider the prevailing wind conditions and the aircraft’s operational characteristics. The crew’s incorrect rotation technique, coupled with the delayed maneuver and lack of proper control, exacerbated the situation.Inadequate flight planning by the operator of the aircraft and the crew, including insufficient dispatch procedures, take-off performance calculations, and verification of operational limitations, compounded by a failure to adequately consider the prevailing wind conditions and the aircraft’s operational characteristics. The crew’s incorrect rotation technique, coupled with the delayed maneuver and lack of proper control, exacerbated the situation.

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