What happened
On March 20, 2016, at 11:17 local time, a Peruvian Air Line Boeing 73/500, registration OB-2041-P, was performing a commercial flight from Cusco to Lima. During the takeoff roll on runway 10, the pilot in command observed a bird strike involving engine number two. At an indicated airspeed of 119 knots—well below the decision speed (V1) of 146 knots—the pilot initiated a rejected takeoff (RTO).
The crew reduced thrust to idle and applied manual braking. However, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits. To avoid a collision with the approach lights at the threshold of runway 28, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft to the left, resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 150 meters from the runway threshold. All 134 passengers and 6 crew members were evacuated via the left-side emergency slides without any injuries.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on why the aircraft could not stop within the available runway distance. Investigators examined the aircraft's braking performance, the condition of the landing gear, and the crew's application of emergency procedures. The investigation also reviewed maintenance records regarding tire wear and the engine's condition following the suspected bird strike.
Findings
- The crew did not extend the speedbrakes or deploy the thrust reversers during the RTO.
- The braking capability of the left main landing gear was compromised because the number two tire suffered a blown tire due to a significant flat spot and heavy wear.
- The braking capability of the right main landing gear was lost as the number three and number four brakes reached temperatures high enough to trigger thermal fuses, causing the tires to deflate.
- While a bird strike was suspected, a borescope inspection of engine number two showed only superficial damage to the fan blades and no significant ingestion into the primary or secondary ducts.
- The crew's recent simulator training had not specifically included RTO maneuvers performed at high-altitude airfields.