On April 2, 2004, a Boeing 707 (registration SU-AVZ) operated by Air Memphis was involved in an aviation accident near Cairo-Intl, Egypt during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collapse of the right main landing gear during takeoff led to a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A right main gear collapse during a nighttime departure from Cairo International Airport caused an aircraft to veer off the runway, resulting in engine damage but no injuries.
What happened
While performing a takeoff from runway 23L at Cairo International Airport during nighttime operations, the aircraft experienced a failure of the right main landing gear. This structural collapse caused the aircraft to lose directional control, leading it to veer toward the right side of the runway.
The aircraft subsequently exited the paved surface and traveled several hundred meters away from the runway. During the excursion, the number 3 and number 4 engines on the right side were torn from the airframe. Despite the severity of the impact and the damage to the engines, all seven occupants of the aircraft type managed to evacuate the wreckage without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
The primary sequence of events was initiated by the collapse of the right main landing gear during the takeoff roll.
Probable cause
The collapse of the right main landing gear during takeoff led to a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.
