Accident Overview
Transair flight 810, a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 cargo flight, experienced a partial loss of power involving the right engine shortly after takeoff. About 11.5 minutes later, the airplane made a water ditching in the Pacific Ocean. The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) provided data for the analysis. Maintenance was not a factor in this accident.
Flight Crew Actions
Shortly after rotation, a "thud" and low-frequency vibration were recorded. The captain and first officer reported hearing a "whoosh" and a "pop," respectively. Within five seconds, they correctly determined that the No. 2 (right) engine had lost thrust. The captain reduced thrust to maximum continuous, and the airplane leveled off at about 2,000 ft. The first officer then reduced thrust on both engines, unaware to the captain who was communicating with air traffic control (ATC). The captain instructed the first officer to maintain 220 knots and 2,000 ft on a heading of 240°. About 3 minutes 14 seconds after the power loss, the captain assumed control, finding altitude decreased to 1,690 ft. He increased pitch, but airspeed dropped.
Engine Performance
Initial engine pressure ratios (EPR) were 2.00 (left) and 1.97 (right). After the thud, right EPR dropped to 1.43 over two seconds. The airplane yawed right, countered by left rudder. The captain later advanced the right thrust lever, causing right EPR to fluctuate, while left EPR remained near flight idle. The first officer misidentified the left engine as the failed one, and the captain accepted this without verification.
Checklist Execution
The captain directed the first officer to begin the Engine Failure or Shutdown checklist. However, the first officer stopped due to concerns about right engine exhaust gas temperature (EGT) reaching the red line. The flight crew did not complete key steps, including identifying, confirming, and shutting down the affected engine. As altitude and airspeed decreased, the first officer stated, "we have to fly the airplane though." The captain selected flaps 1 at about 592 ft and 160 knots.
Ditching and Survival
The enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) annunciated from 500 ft above ground level. The captain informed ATC that the left engine was lost and the right engine was running very hot, anticipating a water ditching. He requested notification of the US Coast Guard. The flight crew attempted to restart the left engine but made no further voice communication until the end of the recording. The captain stated his priority was to keep the airplane in the air and return safely.