Incident Overview

Date: Monday 21 March 1994
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32
Owner/operator: Aviaco
Registration Number: EC-CLE
Location: Vigo Airport (VGO) – ÿ Spain
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 116
Component Affected: Main GearMain Gear
Category: Accident
A DC-9 aircraft experienced a near-miss incident during approach to runway 20. The aircraft touched down short of the runway, resulting in both main gear separation and a ruptured right wing rear spar web. The aircraft slid for a significant distance, leading to fuel leakage and a post-crash fire. The incident was triggered by reduced visibility due to fog banks.A DC-9 aircraft experienced a near-miss incident during approach to runway 20. The aircraft touched down short of the runway, resulting in both main gear separation and a ruptured right wing rear spar web. The aircraft slid for a significant distance, leading to fuel leakage and a post-crash fire. The incident was triggered by reduced visibility due to fog banks.

Description

The left wing hit the approach lights of runway 20. The DC-9 touched down about 50 m short of the runway, causing both main gear to separate. The aircraft slid for 580 m and came to rest with a ruptured right wing rear spar web. This caused the opening of the integral right wing fuel tank, allowing fuel to escape and feed a post crash fire. CAUSAS: “Durante la fase de aproximaci¢n final, con la cabecera de pista en condiciones de visibilidad reducida por bancos de niebla, la aeronave aument¢ su r‚gimen de descenso, se situ¢ bajo la senda de planeo y toc¢ en una barra elevada de iluminaci¢n de aproximaci¢n, entrando en contacto con el terreno en la zona libre de obst culos previa a la pista. Los amortiguadores de las dos patas del tren de aterrizaje principal colapsaron y estas se rompieron por la zona de anclaje a sus respectivos planos, haci‚ndolo con la del lado derecho tambi‚n el dep¢sito de combustible de ese lado, que se derram¢ e incendi¢. Aunque los tripulantes veian el principio de la pista, ninguno oy¢ los seis avisos que emiti¢ el Sistema de Avisos de Proximidad al Terreno. Probablemente, la concentraci¢n en los est¡mulos visuales les llev¢ a ignorar los ac£sticos y, en consecuencia, a continuar sin variaciones la aproximaci¢n.”

Primary Cause

Reduced visibility due to fog banks during final approach.Reduced visibility due to fog banks during final approach.

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