What happened
At 16:35, the flight departed from gate 14B with instructions to taxi toward runway 19. Following takeoff clearance at 16:44, the BAe-3101 reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet when the crew observed erratic fluctuations in the engine torque gauges accompanied by significant yawing motions.
The pilot attempted to stabilize the aircraft by reducing power settings; however, this action intensified the oscillations and the lateral instability. Due to the perceived malfunction of both engines and the difficulty of executing a 90-degree turn toward runway 28, the pilot elected to return to runway 19. During the landing attempt, the aircraft overran the runway, colliding with a six-foot chain-link fence and a concrete barrier. The aircraft then slid across Route 61 highway before finally stopping in a parking area.
Findings
Investigations determined that the incident was driven by a breakdown in flight crew coordination regarding checklist execution. Specifically, the crew failed to follow the Before Takeoff Checklist, which would have required advancing the RPM levers to the high RPM position. This error was compounded by the crew's inability to correctly identify and address the engine oscillations during the early stages of the climb. The investigation also noted that both crew members had limited familiarity with the specific procedures of the BAe-3101, as their recent operational experience involved different aircraft types with different RPM control protocols.