What happened
On December 21, a Boeing 737 operated by Phoenix Aviation for Air Algerie departed Amsterdam, bound for Coventry. During the initial arrival, poor weather conditions and a lack of updated navigation equipment prevented the use of the ILS, necessitating a Surveillance Radar Approach (SRA). Due to low visibility, the crew performed a go-around and subsequently diverted to East Midlands airport, where the aircraft remained on the ground until weather conditions improved.
Upon departing East Midlands at 09:38, the aircraft climbed to FL40 and was vectored toward Coventry runway 23. During the approach, a misunderstanding occurred regarding a heading instruction between the crew and air traffic control. The aircraft began the SRA at 12 miles from the runway threshold.
While descending, the aircraft dropped below the Minimum Descent Height (MDH). The plane struck an 86-foot electricity transmission tower located on the extended centerline of the runway, approximately 1.1 miles from the threshold. The impact caused significant damage to the left engine and the inboard high-lift devices on the left wing. This damage led to severe thrust asymmetry and a loss of lift, causing the aircraft to roll uncontrollably. The left wingtip struck the end of a residential building before the aircraft rolled into an inverted position and crashed into a wooded area, where a large fire broke out.
Findings
- The aircraft descended below the required Minimum Descent Height during the SRA.
- A navigational heading misunderstanding between the crew and the controller contributed to the flight path error.
- The collision with the pylon caused critical structural and aerodynamic damage, including the loss of lift on the left wing.