Incident Overview
Date: Monday 14 December 1992
Aircraft Type: Dornier 328-110
Owner/operator: Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH
Registration Number: D-CHIC
Location: near Memmingen –
ÿ Germany
Phase of Flight: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Dornier 328 prototype’s engine blades.Dornier 328 prototype’s engine blades.
Category: Accident
A Dornier 328 prototype experienced a catastrophic accident during a test flight. The aircraft reached a high speed and performed a maneuver involving a significant yaw angle and nose roll, culminating in engine blade separation. Subsequent propeller strikes caused severe damage to the fuselage, resulting in a landing with the aircraft safely recovered.A Dornier 328 prototype experienced a catastrophic accident during a test flight. The aircraft reached a high speed and performed a maneuver involving a significant yaw angle and nose roll, culminating in engine blade separation. Subsequent propeller strikes caused severe damage to the fuselage, resulting in a landing with the aircraft safely recovered.
Description
A Dornier 328 prototype was conducting a test flight to prove compliance with JAR 25.177. The aircraft was flown at FL150 with a 25 degree flap setting, landing gear down and at a speed of 1.13 times the stall speed. At the end of this manoeuvre, the aircraft reached a 20 degree yaw angle. The pilot then experienced a partial buffet on the tail and the Dornier then rolled steep nose down. The pilot instructed the co-pilot in German to reduce the engine power. This was not understood by the U.S. test pilot. Shortly afterwards all six blades of the left engine separated instantaneously when the aircraft passed an inverted position. The fuselage was severely damaged by subsequent propeller strike. The aircraft landed safely.
Primary Cause
Engine blade separation during a high-speed maneuver.Engine blade separation during a high-speed maneuver.Share on:
