08 March 2017

Conditions and Environment

KYIP 081653Z 26035G50KT 10SM CLR 11/M11 A2981 RMK AO2 PK WND 26055/1639 SLP095 T01061106

• Generally good conditions: Daylight, good visibilities, strong quartering headwind.
• No precipitation.
• No known aircraft deficiencies, flight control check performed.
• Experienced crew with the commander as Pilot Flying and a check airman in the right seat.
• Take-off on runway 23L, 2300×45 meters.

Incident/Accident

• V1 was calculated at 139, VR at 145 knots.
• Due to the strong headwind, the flight crew agreed to increase VR to 150 knots.
• As VR was called out, the Pilot Flying found it impossible to pitch up and called “hey, what’s going on!”.
• Seven seconds after VR, the PF called “Abort”; maximum speed reached was 173 KIAS.

Outcome

• The report came to the conclusion the right elevator was jammed, leaving the airplane unable to rotate.
• This was not detectable during the flight controls check due to the specific design of the MD83’s flight control system.
• The runway end was reached at a ground speed of 100 knots and overrun by 340 meters.
• Nose and main gear collapsed, substantial airframe damage.
• One passenger sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.
• Causal for the mild outcome: Good RTO procedures and decision making, headwind, recent major improvement of the runway safety at a cost of $20.000.000, sports team aboard reacting quickly to the evacuation situation (able-bodied passengers).