ASN Aircraft accident Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 N90AG Birmingham International Airport (BHX)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Friday 4 January 2002
Time:12:07
Type:Silhouette image of generic CL60 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604
Operator:Epps Air Service
Registration: N90AG
MSN: 5414
First flight: 1999
Total airframe hrs:1594
Cycles:797
Engines: 2 General Electric CF34-3B
Crew:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Total:Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:Birmingham International Airport (BHX) (   United Kingdom)
Phase: Takeoff (TOF)
Nature:Executive
Departure airport:Birmingham International Airport (BHX/EGBB), United Kingdom
Destination airport:Bangor International Airport, ME (BGR/KBGR), United States of America
Narrative:
Challenger N90AG was prepared for a flight from Birmingham, UK to Bangor. The flight was cleared to taxi at 12:01 hrs. The captain was pilot-non-flying and was seated in the right cockpit seat. During taxi, the crew completed their normal Before Takeoff Checks; these included confirmation that the control checks had been completed and that anti-ice might be required immediately after takeoff. Flap 20 had been selected for takeoff and the following speeds had been calculated and briefed by the pilots: V1 137 kt; VR 140 kt; V2 147 kt. By 12:06, the aircraft was cleared to line up on runway 15. At 12:07 hrs, N90AG was cleared for takeoff with a surface wind of 140°/8 kt. Takeoff appeared normal up to lift-off. Rotation was started at about 146 kt. Lift-off occurred 2 seconds later, at about 153 kt and with a pitch attitude of about 8 degrees nose-up. Immediately after lift-off, the aircraft started to bank to the left. The rate of bank increased rapidly and 2 seconds after lift-off the bank angle had reached 50 degrees. At that point, the aircraft heading had diverged about 10 degrees to the left. Opposite aileron, followed closely by right rudder, was applied as the aircraft started banking; full right aileron and full right rudder had been applied within 1 second and were maintained. As the bank angle continued to increase, progressively more aircraft nose-up elevator was applied. Stick-shaker operation initiated 3.5 seconds after lift-off. The left winglet contacted the runway shoulder, the outboard part of the left wing detached and the aircraft struck the ground inverted, structurally separating the forward fuselage. Fuel released from ruptured tanks ignited and the wreckage slid to a halt on fire. The last recorded aircraft attitude was approximately 111 degrees left bank and 13 degrees nose-down pitch.

Probable Cause:

CAUSAL FACTORS: "1. The crew did not ensure that N90AG's wings were clear of frost prior to takeoff.; 2. Reduction of the wing stall angle of attack, due to the surface roughness associated with frost contamination, to below that at which the stall protection system was effective.; 3. Possible impairment of crew performance by the combined effects of a non-prescription drug, jet-lag and fatigue."

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: AAIB (U.K.)
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 2 years and 6 months
Accident number: AAIB AAR 5-2004
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Icing
Loss of control

Sources:
» SKYbrary 


Follow-up / safety actions

AAIB issued 5 Safety Recommendations

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Photos

photo of Canadair-Challenger-604-N90AG
accident date: 04-01-2002
type: Canadair Challenger 604
registration: N90AG
 

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Birmingham International Airport to Bangor International Airport, ME as the crow flies is 4785 km (2991 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Canadair Challenger

  • 796+ built
  • 9th loss
  • 4th fatal accident
  • The worst accident (at the time)
  • 4th worst accident (currently)
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