Lockheed L-188 Electra

Channel Express - Air Services

The aircraft (Flight 6526) departed Cologne at 0300 hours and routed directly to Dublin, where, after more than one hours delay due to the late arrival of a freight truck, the aircraft departed for Shannon Airport at 0816 hours. The crew consisted of the First Officer who was the handling pilot on both of these sectors, the Captain who was the non-handling pilot and the Flight Engineer. The take off gross weight was estimated at 83,701 lbs, well below the limiting 116,000 lbs take off weight (MTOW), and the centre of gravity was within limits. The landing weight was estimated at 80,345 lbs, again below the maximum landing weight of 98,102 lbs. The total freight on board was 14,000 lbs, less than half the 33,000 lbs maximum amount permissible. The aircraft reached it's designated altitude of FL120. The crew were handed over to Shannon Approach and given descent clearance. Shannon Approach instructed the crew to keep the speed up (due to an another aircraft behind them) and the aircraft was vectored on an approach to RWY 24. Due to the weather forecast for Shannon the crew decided to conduct the landing with 78% flaps set, rather than the standard 100% flap normally set for landing. During the approach the Captain called 1000 ft above the touchdown zone (TDZ), then 500 ft and every 100 ft thereafter to the Decision Altitude (DA). At an altitude of 700 ft the Ground Proximity Warning (GPWS) horn sounded. The Flight Engineer proceeded to inhibit the GPWS system. Slowing the aircraft to Vma (Maximum Manoeuvering Airspeed) the crew did not carry out the "before landing" checks. Whilst over the RWY threshold the gear warning horn sounded and five seconds later the crew heard a scraping sound and felt severe aircraft vibrations. Realising that the gear was not down the Captain called for a go-around. The First Officer continued to fly the aircraft and was cleared to 3000 ft by ATC. However, during the climb out the aircraft flew into cloud (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) at about 500/600 feet, and simultaneously the propeller assembly and part of No. 3 engine fell to the ground. Electrical power was lost and the only serviceable flight instruments available to the crew was the standby artificial horizon and wet compass. The First Officer relinquished control of the aircraft to the Captain who had great difficulty in maintaining directional control and it took the combined efforts of both pilots to control the excessive yaw through the rudder pedals. In addition, there was insufficient power available to climb to 3000 ft. In fact, less than 2000 ft was attained, as the aircraft commenced a slow difficult turn in a North Easterly direction and towards the high ground west of Limerick city. It was only by further manipulation of the throttles and feathering No. 4 engine that sufficient directional control was recovered, enough to respond to the instructions of the ATC Radar operator. The aircraft was now flying with only No.1 engine fully operative and No. 2 engine producing only half power and much vibration. The Radar operator vectored the aircraft to approach RWY 24 which became visible to the crew. They selected "gear down" and while only 2 of the 3 green landing lights illuminated, the Captain elected to proceed with the landing, with the flaps again set at 78%. This landing was successful, with all the landing gear deploying correctly. The aircraft was evacuated while the airport crash crews stood by.

Blue Airlines

The four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Kinshasa to Mbandaka on behalf of the Congolese Armed Forces, carrying seven crew members and a load of fuel drums, ammunitions and bombs. After takeoff from Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, while climbing, the captain informed ATC about the failure of the engine n°3 and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. The aircraft went out of control and crashed three minutes after takeoff on a building owned by the Congolese Electricity Company and located near the airport. All seven occupants were killed.

Trans Service Airlift - TSA

After takeoff from Jamba Airport, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in a field located few km from the airfield. The copilot and two passengers survived while 141 other occupants were killed, among them 83 children. The aircraft was completing a charter/humanitarian flight to Kinshasa to repatriate Congolese refugees.

Blue Airlines

On final approach to Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the four engine aircraft was too low and descending at an insufficient speed when it collided with power cables, stalled and crashed in an open field. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Trans Service Airlift - TSA

Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on its belly and eventually came to rest on the runway. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

TPI International Airways

While in climb at 18,000 feet the crew heard and explosion and lost n°3 and 4 engines. They visually noted that the propellers and portions of the gearboxes were also missing. They then shut down no 2 engine due to erratic indications. They declared an emergency and landed. The gear boxes and propellers were not recovered from the caribbean sea.

TAN Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Nacionales de Honduras

While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the south slope of Cerro de Hula (1,600 meters high) located 14 km from runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

Argentinian Navy - Armada Argentina

After landing at Trelew-Almirante Zar Airport runway 06, the aircraft collided with a truck that was parked at the side of the runway. The left main gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. All 23 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME

After takeoff from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, while climbing, the left main gear warning light remained on. The captain decided to divert to Taura AFB for an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 99 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME

The engine n°2 was inoperative due to technical problems and the crew decided to takeoff on a positioning flight to Quito with only three engines. Shortly after takeoff from Lago Agrio Airport, while in initial climb, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew lost control of the aircraft that banked left and crashed, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed.