Incident Overview
Description
The Ilyushin had arrived on July 12 after a flight from Baku (Azerbaijan) and was scheduled to fly on to Nikolaev. The aircraft was loaded with general cargo (a.o. watermelons), which was completed at 21:40. However, the airplane was overloaded 15.5 -25.5 tonnes over the maximum permitted weight for a departure in the given circumstances, and 13-23 tonnes over the certified maximum allowable takeoff weight. The plane took off from Ras al Khaimah runway 34 at 23:11 and climbed slowly to a height of 180 m, accelerating to 400 km/h. As the flaps were retracted, the GPWS sounded and the pilot incorrectly moved the control column forward. The aircraft flew into the sea and broke up. Cause: The Captain failed to react to the GPWS warning in accordance with company and manufacturer’s instructions and instead his actions resulted in a descent into terrain without any vertical awareness. Contributory cause: The aircraft was overloaded by persons unknown and the resultant lack of performance may have influenced the Captain’s incorrect reaction to the GPWS warning and effected the subsequent recovery performance of the aircraft.
Primary Cause
Pilot’s failure to react to a GPWS warning, resulting in a descent into terrain without vertical awareness.Pilot’s failure to react to a GPWS warning, resulting in a descent into terrain without vertical awareness.Share on:
