Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 3 August 1996
Aircraft Type: Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159A Gulfstream III
Owner/operator: Kongelige Danske Flyvevbnet
Registration Number: F-330
Location: ca 2 km NW of Faroe Islands-Vagar Airport (FAE) –
ÿ Denmark
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
Component Affected: The Gulfstream III jet aircraft.The Gulfstream III jet aircraft.
Category: Accident
A Gulfstream III jet, operated by the Danish Air Force, experienced a sudden and significant roll due to extreme turbulence while approaching Vagar Airport in the Faroe Islands. It encountered a strong left-rotating mountain wave, leading to a 180-degree turn and impact with a mountainside.A Gulfstream III jet, operated by the Danish Air Force, experienced a sudden and significant roll due to extreme turbulence while approaching Vagar Airport in the Faroe Islands. It encountered a strong left-rotating mountain wave, leading to a 180-degree turn and impact with a mountainside.
Description
The Gulfstream III jet, operated by the Danish Air Force, was flying an approach to Vagar Airport, Faroe Islands. On the last part of the flight, the aircraft encountered a strong left-rotating mountain wave. In the accident area, between the sea surface and approx. 400 m altitude, large fluctuations were observed in the wind directions between 190 ø and 300 ø and with an estimated strength of between 20 and 40 knots. The aircraft was on final approach to runway 12, flying through the fjord when it suddenly rolled 180 degrees due to extreme turbulence. The aircraft then impacted a mountainside.
Primary Cause
Extreme turbulence caused by a strong left-rotating mountain wave.Extreme turbulence caused by a strong left-rotating mountain wave.Share on:
