TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos

Airbus A320

A TACA Airlines Airbus A320, flight TA390, with Irish Registry EI-TAF, with 135 passengers and crew on board, overran at the end of the runway during landing at Tegucigalpa caused the deaths of three people on board and two on the ground. The government of Honduras delegated the conduct of investigation to the Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authorities, as provided for in Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. In accordance with international agreements, France sent two investigators from the BEA (Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses), accompanied by five technical advisors from Airbus; United States sent two investigators from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), accompanied by one advisor from FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and one technical Advisor from IAE (International Aero Engine); and Ireland sent one investigator. Both flight recorders (CVR and DFDR) were recovered and taken to the NTSB in order to perform the read out. The following data result from the analysis done by the BEA and Airbus of the accident recorders, which have been processed within the NTSB facilities under the leadership of the in-charge Authorities. It is confirmed that the aircraft was dispatched without any deferred MEL item. Prior to landing, the wind information given by the ATC to the crew was 190°/10kt and ATC also confirmed that the runway was wet. The Captain was the Pilot Flying (PF). Landing configuration was established with Slats/Flaps fully extended, gear down, ground spoilers armed, autobrake selected to MED. The aircraft landing weight was 63.5t (max landing weight 64.5t), Vapp 137kt. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 02 and landed with Autopilot and Flight Directors OFF, and autothrust engaged in managed speed mode. At time of touch down, IAS was 139kt and Ground Speed (GS) was 159kt (estimated tailwind was 12kt from DFDR data analysis). The aircraft landed on runway 02 (Runway 02 is 3297 feet high and has a displaced threshold of 213m). The Landing Distance Available (LDA) for runway 02 is of 1649m. The touch down occurred at approximately 400m from the runway 02 displaced threshold. Immediately after touchdown, the crew selected MAX REV, and both engine reversers and the Ground Spoilers (G/S) deployed normally. The nosewheel touch down occurred 7s after the Main Landing Gear (MLG) following PF inputs. The crew applied manual braking 4s after MLG touch down and commanded maximum pedal braking in 10s (14s after MLG touch down). At 70 knots Indicated Airspeed Speed (IAS), upon Pilot Non Flying (PNF) call-out, the PF selected IDLE REV. The remaining distance to the runway end was approximately 190m. The aircraft overran the runway at 54kt and dropped down the 20 m embankment sustaining severe damage on impact with the ground. The landing performance analysis confirms that the landing performances are consistent with runway condition and crew actions.

Cessna 501 Citation I

The crew was completing a local training flight at San Salvador-Comalapa Airport. On approach to runway 25, the copilot informed the captain about a discrepancy between both altimeters. The crew elected to identify the problem and thus failed to focus his attention on the approach procedure. This caused the aircraft to lose altitude when it collided with trees located 2,500 feet short of runway and crashed on a road 1,200 feet short of runway. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Boeing 767-200

The approach to Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with rain falls, a visibility of three miles below a 2,000 feet cloud ceiling. The crew was cleared to land on runway 19 with a tailwind component as the wind was from 030° at 8 knots. The aircraft landed 1,070 metres past the runway threshold (runway 19 is 2,763 metres long) at a speed that was 17 knots above Vref. The crew started the braking procedure and thrust reversers were deployed. At a distance of 300 metres from the runway end, the captain decided to veer off runway to the left. At a speed of 90 knots, the aircraft went through a perimeter fence, down an embankment and eventually came to rest into several houses. All 236 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Three people on the ground were slightly injured.

Douglas DC-6

After abt 4.3 hours on an overwater flight, the crew reported they had 15 minutes of fuel remaining. Subsequently, 3 of 4 engines lost power from fuel exhaustion. During an emergency landing, the aircraft hit a levee and was extensively damaged. Most of the wreckage came to rest in a drainage canal. Bodies of the crew were recovered from the water on 7/22/88. During an investigation, no fuel was found in the fuel tanks and no fuel spill was evident. Records showed the aircraft had departed El Salvador with 7 hours of fuel. No reason for the loss of 2.7 hours of fuel was verified; but about 1 month after the accident, an employee of the operator reported finding an open drain valve in the wreckage, inside the #4 engine nacelle. A metallurgical examination indicated the valve had been in an open position for an extended time. No ground personnel saw fuel draining from the aircraft during start, taxi or takeoff. The crew had no control of the valve in flight. There was evidence the #1, #2 and #3 engines were not providing power during impact. All crossfeed valve controls were found in crossfeed positions. Ethanol was found in the pilot's and copilot's blood, but there was evidence that it was the resulted of postmortem changes.

Douglas DC-6

On final approach to Rubelsanto Airport, the four engine airplane was too low and struck the ground short of runway. The undercarriage were torn off on impact and the airplane crash landed on its belly. All three crew members escaped uninjured.

Vickers Viscount

Shortly after takeoff from runway 29 at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked left and crashed in flames in a field located 2,4 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and 15 people were killed, among them two crew members. Four occupants survived the crash.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The flight which departed from San Pedro Sula Airport on an extra flight with cargo for the San Andrés Mine, took off at 1242LT. The load was properly distributed with the centre of gravity on take-off, within the authorized limits. At 1316LT, following the first and only attempt to land at San Andrés Aerodrome, the aircraft crashed into a nearby mountain approximately 5 kilometers from the aerodrome. Fire broke out on impact and the aircraft and cargo were completely destroyed. The three crew, who were the only parsons on board, were killed.

Douglas DC-3

While approaching San Felipe from the east in a limited visibility, the airplane hit the slope of the Cerro Grande located about 30 km from the San Felipe Airport. All 12 occupants were killed.

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames 5 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.

Lockheed C-60 LodeStar

Crashed into a mountain while on a flight from Bogota to Bucaramanga. All five occupants were killed.

Lockheed C-60 LodeStar

Shortly after takeoff from Medellin Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Cerro del Padre Amaya located 12 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 8 occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

After takeoff from Guayaquil Airport, the left engine caught fire. The crew elected to return but the captain realized this was not possible. He ditch the aircraft into the Rio Guayas, off the Santay Island. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Lockheed 10 Electra

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field near Yoro. All seven occupants were killed.

Lockheed 14 Super Electra

Crashed shortly after takeoff from La Libertad for unknown reason, killing all 21 occupants.

Douglas DC-2

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate remains unknown.

Ford 5

Crashed on takeoff in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Ford 5

Shortly after lift off, while in initial climb, the right wing failed. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion. All 16 occupants were killed.

Ford 5

The crew was performing a cargo flight when the three engine aircraft hit a mountain near Alamikamba. The wreckage and both dead bodies were found on April 20, 1941.

Ford 5

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.

Ford 5

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Ford 5

During a training exercise in the region of Prinzapolka, crew lost control of the aircraft that crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Ford 5

The three engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a jungle in the region of Puerto Cabezas. The wreckage was reached by rescuers five days later, on October 3rd. All eight occupants were rescued and evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.