06 February 1996

Conditions and Environment

MDPP 070300Z 07006KT 6000 -TSRA SCT018CB BKN070 23/21 Q1017

• Night takeoff.
• Experienced crew with a significant difference in flight hours (CM1: 24750, CM2: 3500).

Incident/Accident

• No indication on left airspeed indicator during take-off
• Recognized at 80 knots, but take-off continued
• Left airspeed indicator started indicating after liftoff, but increasingly high with increasing altitude
• First officer’s and Standby airspeed indicator most likely correct
• Auropilot engaged with source left, high pitch angles commanded due to the erroneous airspeed, which also generated an overspeed warning.
• Thrust was reduced, 10 seconds later the stick shaker activated as the aircraft approached a stall, and the overspeed warning was identified as false.
• The autopilot stabilizer trim inputs and an the left engine stalling with a roll resulting prevented an effective stall recovery.

Outcome

• Loss of control in flight.
• The aircraft impacted the sea with significant vertical speed and disintegrated.
• 189 fatalities, no survivors.