Marana - Davis Monthan

On September 20, 1990 at 07:07 AM, Marana - Davis Monthan experienced a crash involving Boeing 707, operated by Omega Air, with the event recorded near Marana-Pinal Airpark Arizona.

The flight was categorized as ferry and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 33.3%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Witnesses reported 1st attempt to takeoff was aborted after aircraft swerved left and right. On 2nd try, aircraft lifted off about halfway down runway. After lift-off, it rolled right, right wing hit ground and aircraft crashed. Investigations revealed rudder trim was 7.9 to 8.3 units (79% to 83%) nose right. Simulator tests with that setting resulted in consistent right wing collisions with ground after liftoff. Crew's checklist referred to mech checklist for critical items to check before takeoff. Mech checklist and 50 of 54 flight instruments had been removed from aircraft, leaving 2 airspeed indicators, altimeter and standby gyro horizon. In 60 simulated takeoffs in this configuration, there was evidence of insufficient attitudinal ref to recognize rolling of aircraft before sufficient altitude was attained. FAA's designated airworthiness rep (dar) had inspected aircraft three days before and issued ferry permit. He lacked FAA mechanical certification and experience with large aircraft. FAA order 8000.62 and ac 183.33 lacked specific guidance for selection, training and oversight of dar activity. Also, lack of guidance concerning minimum equipment list. Pilot not current or medical qualified to fly aircraft.

Aircraft reference details include registration N320MJ, MSN 20028, year of manufacture 1968.