Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III – F-BJTB

Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 12 September 1961

Aircraft Type: Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III

Owner/operator: Air France

Registration Number: F-BJTB

Location: 9 km SSW of Rabat-Sale Airport (RBA) – ÿ Morocco

Phase of Flight: Approach

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 77 / Occupants: 77

Component Affected: The Kollman window altimeter and the pilot’s descent altitude.The Kollman window altimeter and the pilot’s descent altitude.

Category: Accident

On July 16, 2005, a commercial flight involving the Caravelle III crashed near Rabat-Sale Airport, Morocco, resulting in the deaths of all 77 passengers and crew. The aircraft was flying at 1650 feet, approaching Rabat city, when it entered a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) due to unfavorable weather conditions, specifically thick fog reducing visibility. The aircraft passed KJ NDB, a navigational beacon, and executed a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. After 21:08, the crew requested a 180-degree turn to intercept the runway 04 localizer. The tower advised the crew that KJ NDB was not aligned with runway 04, but the crew did not receive confirmation. At 21:10, the crew informed the crew about reduced visibility, leading to a lack of confirmation from the tower. The Caravelle struck a hill at 21:09, causing significant damage, and subsequently burst into flames. Initial investigations suggest the failure was likely due to a combination of factors, including the fragility of the Kollman window altimeter and a pilot’s error in maintaining the initial descent altitude, potentially leading to a significant altitude loss.On July 16, 2005, a commercial flight involving the Caravelle III crashed near Rabat-Sale Airport, Morocco, resulting in the deaths of all 77 passengers and crew. The aircraft was flying at 1650 feet, approaching Rabat city, when it entered a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) due to unfavorable weather conditions, specifically thick fog reducing visibility. The aircraft passed KJ NDB, a navigational beacon, and executed a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. After 21:08, the crew requested a 180-degree turn to intercept the runway 04 localizer. The tower advised the crew that KJ NDB was not aligned with runway 04, but the crew did not receive confirmation. At 21:10, the crew informed the crew about reduced visibility, leading to a lack of confirmation from the tower. The Caravelle struck a hill at 21:09, causing significant damage, and subsequently burst into flames. Initial investigations suggest the failure was likely due to a combination of factors, including the fragility of the Kollman window altimeter and a pilot’s error in maintaining the initial descent altitude, potentially leading to a significant altitude loss.

Description

The Caravelle III, operated by Air France, was destroyed when it crashed near Rabat-Sale Airport in Morocco. All 77 on board were killed. Flight 2005 departed Paris-Orly Airport, France, to Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco. Meteorological conditions at Rabat Airport were unfavourable owing to thick, low fog which reduced horizontal visibility and ceiling. The aircraft passed KJ NDB (Non Directional Beacon), which is located 800m west of Rabat Airport, and made a 360ø turn to loose altitude. Now flying at 1650 feet, the Caravelle passed Rabat city. At 21:08 the crew requested a 180ø turn to intercept the runway 04 localizer. KJ NDB would be used as backup for the final approach. The control tower advised the crew that KJ NDB was not in line with runway 04, but he did not receive a confirmation. At 21:10 he informed the crew about the visibility which was now less than 100m. Again flight 2005 did not confirm the message. It appeared that the Caravelle was on the 4 mile final when it struck the ground. The nose gear touched the ground at 21:09 followed by the main gear. The Caravelle then struck a rock and burst into flames when it hit a hill. PPROBABL CAUSE: “In the opinion of the board of inquiry of all the theories listed above, those related to material failure appear the least likely. On the other hand, the theory regarding an error in instrument reading appears more probable than the others. Therefore, the Board explained the failure: 1) by the fact that reading of the Kollsman window altimeter, with which this Caravelle was equipped, may be delicate, as demonstrated by some systematic tests carried out by highly trained crews of various European airlines; 2) by the possibility that the pilot made that error of 1 000 ft at the beginning of the descent, retaining it, then gave his full attention to reading the pointer, which seemed to him to be of prime importance, in order to bring in the aircraft at the minimum authorized altitude.”

Primary Cause

Pilot error in maintaining the initial descent altitude and a potential fragility of the Kollman window altimeter.Pilot error in maintaining the initial descent altitude and a potential fragility of the Kollman window altimeter.

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