On March 31, 2005, an Antonov AN-12 (registration UN-11007) operated by Air BAS Transportation was involved in an aviation accident near Al Mukalla, Yemen during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: For unknown reasons, the flight engineer retracted the landing gear prematurely during the takeoff procedure without any instruction from the captain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A cargo aircraft suffered a nose gear collapse during takeoff from Al Mukalla, veered left to avoid equipment, and came to rest in sand. All eight occupants were uninjured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Incident Overview
A four-engine aircraft was conducting a cargo flight from Al Mukalla to Sharjah, carrying eight crew members and a load of 7 tons of fish. During the takeoff roll on runway 06, at a speed of 225 km/h, the nose gear collapsed. The captain initiated an emergency braking procedure. To avoid a collision with a radio-technical equipment car, he steered the aircraft to the left. The aircraft veered off the runway, rolled for approximately 400 metres, and came to rest in a sandy area about 30 metres to the left of the extended centerline. All eight occupants escaped uninjured, while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the probable cause as the flight engineer retracting the landing gear prematurely during the takeoff procedure without any instruction from the captain. The flight engineer violated standard operating procedures by moving the landing gear switch to the 'retract position' and then to 'neutral' without reporting to the captain, which led to the occurrence and its development.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 31 Mar 2005 Antonov AN-12 accident near Al Mukalla, Yemen?
A cargo aircraft suffered a nose gear collapse during takeoff from Al Mukalla, veered left to avoid equipment, and came to rest in sand. All eight occupants were uninjured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Were there any fatalities in the 31 Mar 2005 Antonov AN-12 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 31 Mar 2005 involved an Antonov AN-12, registration UN-11007, operated by Air BAS Transportation, at Al Mukalla, Yemen.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
For unknown reasons, the flight engineer retracted the landing gear prematurely during the takeoff procedure without any instruction from the captain. Actions of flight engineer in violation of technology of standard operating procedures, by fixing of landing gear switch to 'retract position' after that to 'neutral'…
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