What happened
On December 13, 2003, at approximately 22:48 local time, an Aero Continente Boeing 73/7-2A9, registration OB-1544-P, was performing an IFR approach to runway 15 at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao, Peru. The flight had originated from Caracas, Venezuela.
During the approach phase, the crew received an indication of asymmetric flaps. Following the approach, the aircraft impacted the runway with the main and nose landing gear fully retracted. The aircraft traveled approximately 2,347 meters along the runway surface. The friction from the runway contact caused extensive damage to both engines and the wings. While there was no fire, emergency services utilized foam to prevent any ignition. All 100 occupants—including 94 passengers and 6 crew members—were evacuated via the left-side emergency exits without any injuries.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation examined the aircraft's flight data recorders (DFDR and CVR), which had been analyzed by the NTSB in the United States. The investigation focused on the technical failure of the flap position indicator and the crew's adherence to emergency procedures. The investigation also reviewed the flight crew's duty schedules, noting that the flight was operating near the maximum permitted flight and duty time limits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a human error by omission, specifically the failure of the crew to perform the Non-Normal Checklist from the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) when technical issues arose during the approach.
- This failure to follow established procedures resulted in the omission of the landing gear extension command, leading to the landing with the gear retracted.
- A technical malfunction in the flap position indicator, caused by high electrical resistance in the right-side flap position transmitter, provided the initial asymmetric flap indication.
- Contributing factors included a lack of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and leadership during the abnormal approach, a failure to execute a go-around despite the technical malfunction, and crew fatigue due to flight schedules approaching regulatory limits.