What happened
During a scheduled test flight following its assembly in Seville, a brand new aircraft experienced a critical mechanical failure. The flight was part of a testing program intended to precede the aircraft's delivery to the Turkish Air Force. Shortly after departing from Runway 09 at Seville-San Pablo Airport at 12:54 local time, the crew executed a 90-degree turn to the left toward the north.
During this phase of flight, engines number 1, 2, and 3 became stuck at a high power setting. The crew attempted to adjust the thrust levers to return the engines to a normal operating mode, but the engines failed to respond to the inputs. In an effort to manage the situation, the crew moved the thrust levers to the idle position; however, the three engines remained stuck at high power. Due to this loss of thrust control, the crew initiated an emergency return to the airport.
While on approach, the aircraft struck power lines, leading to a stall and a subsequent crash in an open field situated approximately 1.6 km north of the airport. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. The accident resulted in four fatalities and two survivors.
Findings
- Three of the four engines remained stuck at high power despite crew attempts to reduce thrust to idle.
- The aircraft struck power lines during the emergency approach, causing a loss of control and a subsequent stall.