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1999 Frankfurt/Main Boeing 747-400 Runway Incursion Incident

Flughafen Frankfurt/Main, DE

On January 20, 1999, a Boeing B747-400 was involved in an aviation accident near Flughafen Frankfurt/Main, DE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The incident resulted from the crew's failure to recognize deteriorating visibility conditions that no longer met CAT I requirements before passing the Final Approach Point, combined with a lack of effective Crew Resource Management and late configuration… This summary draws on records from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU).

Sourcesthe German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-11Data APIEditorial standards

On January 20, 1999, a Boeing 747-400 from Delhi made an unintended ground contact at Frankfurt/Main due to rapid visibility deterioration and crew coordination issues. The aircraft sustained heavy damage but no injuries occurred.

Incident Overview

On January 20, 1999, a commercial Boeing B747-400 operating out of Delhi experienced a serious incident at Frankfurt/Main Airport. The aircraft was carrying 311 passengers and 25 crew members. During the approach to Runway 25L, the flight made an unintended ground contact on the paved extension of the old runway, approximately 1,000 meters before the touchdown zone.

Operational Context

The crew intended to perform a manual landing under CAT I conditions based on ATIS information received at 16:20 UTC, which reported 2,500 m visibility. However, visibility deteriorated rapidly due to fog banks moving from the southwest. Special weather reports issued at 16:35 and 16:38 UTC indicated reduced Runway Visual Range (RVR) values between 400 m and 800 m, but these were not received by the crew.

Approach Dynamics

The aircraft was vectored by radar to the approach path. The descent from Flight Level 110 to 3,000 ft was conducted at a low average sink rate of 1,200 ft/min, causing the glideslope to be captured late at approximately 1,400 ft above ground level. At 3,000 ft, the autopilot was disengaged for manual control. The crew was also occupied with troubleshooting a hydraulic system issue (System No. 4).

Ground Contact and Aftermath

At approximately 800 ft, landing flaps were extended from 25° to 30°, causing the aircraft to rise about 100 ft above the glideslope. The sink rate subsequently increased to 1,450 ft/min, leading to a penetration of the glideslope at 400 ft. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) issued multiple "Sink Rate" warnings. At 16:39 UTC, the aircraft struck the ground on the old runway extension.

The pilot initiated a go-around immediately. Visibility continued to worsen, leading to CAT II and later CAT III operations. A second landing was executed automatically on Runway 25R at 16:58 UTC. During this landing, previously damaged tires caught fire, which was quickly extinguished by emergency services.

Damage Assessment

The incident resulted in heavy damage to the aircraft, including the main landing gear, two engines, and the fuselage due to debris. On the ground, tire marks extended 85 meters, 22 approach lights were damaged, and the localizer antenna for Runway 07R was broken. The aircraft was provisionally repaired in Frankfurt and later flown to Bombay.

Investigation Findings

The investigation highlighted a lack of effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) and constructive dialogue regarding the weather situation. The crew failed to recognize that visibility conditions no longer met CAT I requirements before passing the Final Approach Point (FAP). The extension of landing flaps was deemed too late under the given conditions, contributing to the deviation from the glideslope.

Probable cause

The incident resulted from the crew's failure to recognize deteriorating visibility conditions that no longer met CAT I requirements before passing the Final Approach Point, combined with a lack of effective Crew Resource Management and late configuration changes during the approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Jan 1999 Boeing B747-400 accident near Flughafen Frankfurt/Main, DE?

On January 20, 1999, a Boeing 747-400 from Delhi made an unintended ground contact at Frankfurt/Main due to rapid visibility deterioration and crew coordination issues. The aircraft sustained heavy damage but no injuries occurred.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Jan 1999 Boeing B747-400 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Jan 1999 involved a Boeing B747-400, at Flughafen Frankfurt/Main, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident resulted from the crew's failure to recognize deteriorating visibility conditions that no longer met CAT I requirements before passing the Final Approach Point, combined with a lack of effective Crew Resource Management and late configuration changes during the approach.

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