What happened
During an intersection departure from runway 08L at 06:22 local time, a Boeing 747 carrying mail and freight experienced a sudden loss of directional control. The aircraft was operating near its maximum takeoff weight limit at the time of the incident. Shortly before the departure, a separate Boeing 747 had finished its landing roll on runway 4R, which intersects the departure runway near its end.
As the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the crew reported a sudden yaw to the left, similar to the sensation of an engine failure. Despite the application of full right rudder, the aircraft continued to exhibit severe rolling and yawing tendencies. The pilot reduced the pitch to manage the instability, resulting in the left wing tip striking the right side of the runway. The impact caused the tricycle landing gear to collapse, and the aircraft slid along the runway until it came to a halt, where it was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Findings
Investigation into the incident revealed several discrepancies regarding the aircraft's loading and documentation. While the aircraft was within 57 lbs of its maximum takeoff weight, the actual weight of the freight and the specific placement of cargo could not be verified due to fire damage and incomplete records. Furthermore, there were inconsistencies between the weight and balance documents filed with the FAA and the duplicate copies maintained by the operator.
Engine examinations showed no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the accident. Additionally, ground scars from the propellers indicated that both engines were functioning at the moment of impact. The exact cause of the sudden yaw remains unverified, as the crew reported no unusual behavior during the initial taxi or takeoff roll.