Hard landing following runway misalignment and wind shear

Casualties unknown • Denver, CO, US

An aircraft sustained structural damage after a hard landing caused by an inadvertent runway alignment and significant wind fluctuations during the final approach.

What happened

The crew had configured the radios, instruments, approach briefing, and speed bugs for a planned landing on runway 17R. However, the first officer, who was operating the controls, inadvertently aligned the aircraft with runway 17L, and the flight was subsequently cleared to land on that runway.

During the descent, several warnings were triggered. At 500 feet AGL, the glideslope aural warning sounded. As the aircraft reached 100 feet, the ground proximity warning system issued a sink rate warning, prompting the first officer to increase power. Over the runway threshold at 50 feet, the airspeed began to deteriorate. In response, the first officer applied more power while the captain applied maximum thrust and forward pressure on the control yoke. The crew reported that a hard landing occurred.

The investigation

A review of the control tower tapes indicated that winds during the approach varied between 180 and 200 degrees, with speeds ranging from 10 to 27 knots. Additionally, another aircraft that had landed moments before reported experiencing a 10-knot loss of airspeed at 100 feet. The landing resulted in damage to the aircraft's structural stringers and the pressure vessel.

All Boeing 737-400 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-04-14 Boeing 737-400 accident near Denver, CO?

An aircraft sustained structural damage after a hard landing caused by an inadvertent runway alignment and significant wind fluctuations during the final approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-04-14 involved a Boeing 737-400, registration EICEU, operated by Markair, Inc., at Denver, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

PROPER DESCENT RATE NOT MAINTAINED BY THE FIRST OFFICER, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. FACTORS WERE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE CAPTAIN'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FIRST OFFICER.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03295. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…