On March 4, 2005, an Antonov AN-24 (registration EY-46399) operated by Trans Air Congo was involved in an aviation accident near Impfondo, Congo during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft failed to respond to pilot control inputs at rotation speed, leading to an unsuccessful rejected takeoff and subsequent runway overrun. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft experienced a loss of control during its takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion and subsequent fire that destroyed the vessel.
What happened
While performing the takeoff roll, the aircraft reached its rotation speed (Vr) when the pilot-in-command attempted to pull back on the control column. The aircraft failed to respond to the control input, preventing the transition to flight. In response to the lack of pitch response, the captain initiated a rejected takeoff procedure.
Despite the attempt to abort the takeoff, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently within the available runway length. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and came to a stop. Following the excursion, a fire broke out, which resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
All five occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft.
There were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported among the crew and passengers.
The primary factor in the accident was the failure of the aircraft to respond to control inputs during the rotation phase.
Probable cause
The aircraft failed to respond to pilot control inputs at rotation speed, leading to an unsuccessful rejected takeoff and subsequent runway overrun.