Incident Overview
Description
The Constellation sank back after takeoff, impacted trees and broke up. A fire erupted. The aircraft was engaged in spraying pesticides to control spruce budworm in the Quebec wilderness. It is concluded that after takeoff the flaps were inadvertently selected up. The selection was made at a lower than normal altitude and prior to obtaining the minimum flap retraction speed. A sink rate developed, which the pilot recognized and tried to correct by rotating the aircraft. When this failed to arrest the sink rate, the pilots realized the flaps were up or coming up, and then reselected the flaps to the takeoff position. By this time, however, it was too late to avoid ground contact. CAUSE: Deliberate or inadvertent retraction of flaps prematurely. Crew fatigue.
Source of Information
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/queen-of-the-sky-1973-crash-of-super-connie-lures-orleans-pilot-deep-into-quebec-bushhttp://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/queen-of-the-sky-1973-crash-of-super-connie-lures-orleans-pilot-deep-into-quebec-bushPrimary Cause
Deliberate or inadverent retraction of flaps prematurely, resulting in upward flap selection.Deliberate or inadverent retraction of flaps prematurely, resulting in upward flap selection.Share on:
