What happened
A flight crew, consisting of a foreign military pilot and a U.S. certified airline transport pilot, was conducting a ferry flight intended to transport an aircraft to Australia via Hawaii. To facilitate the long-distance journey, the aircraft type had been modified with additional engine oil tanks and auxiliary fuel tanks. The aircraft was operating under a special airworthiness certificate that permitted operations exceeding standard gross weight limits.
Prior to the accident, the first pilot had 50 hours of experience in the specific aircraft, while the second pilot had 25 hours. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft reached an airspeed of 100 knots and became airborne. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft experienced a pitch-up motion and entered a dutch roll instability. At an altitude of approximately 50 feet, the aircraft stalled and descended back onto the runway. Following the impact, a fire broke out within the cabin area.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in an overweight configuration due to the installation of extra fuel and oil tanks.
- The flight involved a non-standard weight profile authorized by a special airworthiness certificate.
- The sequence of events involved a loss of control characterized by a pitch-up and dutch roll, leading to a low-altitude stall.