What happened
On June 4, 2017, at approximately 12:16 local time, a Boeing 737-530, registration OB-2135-P, operated by Peruvian Air Line S.A.C., was performing a commercial flight (PVN 213) from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, Peru. The aircraft was carrying 115 passengers and 6 crew members.
During the takeoff roll on runway 10, the takeoff warning alarm activated because the crew had failed to set the flaps to the mandatory position five. In response to the alarm, the pilot initiated a rejected takeoff at an indicated airspeed of 148 knots. The aircraft traveled 1,950 meters of the available 3ally 3,400 meters before coming to a stop. To decelerate, the pilot retarded the throttles to idle, deployed the reverse thrust, and applied the brakes, eventually stopping the aircraft within 940 meters of the runway.
Following the stop, the aircraft taxied to position number 11. During the high-intensity braking maneuver, brake pad fragments were found on the runway, having detached due to extreme temperatures. Subsequently, the four main landing gear tires deflated after the safety fuses designed to prevent heat damage were activated. There were no injuries to the 121 people on board.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation involved field examinations and coordination with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which provided laboratory services for the processing of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). The investigation focused on the technical procedures performed by the crew prior to takeoff and the mechanical consequences of the emergency braking.
Findings
- The crew failed to configure the aircraft correctly by omitting the required flap setting for takeoff.
- Extreme heat generated during the rejected takeoff caused brake pad fragments to detach and triggered the deflation of the main landing gear tires via the activation of thermal safety fuses.