Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 8 May 1997
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-31B
Owner/operator: China Southern Airlines
Registration Number: B-2925
Location: Shenzhen Airport (SZX) –
ÿ China
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 35 / Occupants: 74
Component Affected: Boeing 737-300 aircraft (specifically, the nose landing gear, main gear, and fuselage)Boeing 737-300 aircraft (specifically, the nose landing gear, main gear, and fuselage)
Category: Accident
A Boeing 737-300 operated by China Southern Airlines experienced a catastrophic landing accident at Shenzhen Airport, resulting in the loss of 35 passengers and crew. The aircraft impacted hard, first on the nose landing gear, then on the main gear, and bounced three times. The pilot initiated a go-around, but was unable to regain control due to damage from the initial landing. The aircraft subsequently ran off the runway, breaking up into three pieces and catching fire.A Boeing 737-300 operated by China Southern Airlines experienced a catastrophic landing accident at Shenzhen Airport, resulting in the loss of 35 passengers and crew. The aircraft impacted hard, first on the nose landing gear, then on the main gear, and bounced three times. The pilot initiated a go-around, but was unable to regain control due to damage from the initial landing. The aircraft subsequently ran off the runway, breaking up into three pieces and catching fire.
Description
China Southern Airlines flight 3456, a Boeing 737-300, was destroyed in a landing accident at Shenzhen Airport, China. Thirty-five of the 74 occupants sustained fatal injuries. During final approach, the aircraft encountered clouds. The pilot could not see the surface to accurately judge height. The aircraft touched down hard, first on the nose landing gear, then on the main gear and bounced three times. The pilot then executed a go-around. During the second landing, due to damage from the first landing, the crew could not control the attitude and the aircraft touched down at high speed and could not be brought to stop on the runway. It ran off the runway, broke up in three pieces and caught fire.
Primary Cause
Pilot error due to inadequate visual assessment during final approach, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions (clouds) and a hard landing.Pilot error due to inadequate visual assessment during final approach, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions (clouds) and a hard landing.Share on:
