Aircraft ground impact during training flight at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport

No fatalities • Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden • Takeoff (climb)

A training flight involving a single-engine aircraft resulted in a ground impact during the initial climb phase after power was restored to an engine following a simulated failure.

What happened

During a routine local training session at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, the crew of an aircraft was performing maneuvers designed to simulate engine malfunctions. To replicate a loss of power, the instructor decreased thrust on the left engine during the takeoff roll.

As the aircraft reached rotation speed and began its initial climb, the crew decided to re-engage power to the left engine. This action caused the airplane to bank toward the left side. During this maneuver, the left wing made contact with the ground. The loss of control led to a crash on the left side of the runway, where the aircraft eventually stopped. There were no injuries among the four crew members, though the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.

Findings

Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements that led to the loss of control. The recovery of power to the left engine caused the aircraft to slip, and the resulting slipstream induced a leftward yaw. This movement increased the lateral slip significantly.

Furthermore, investigators noted that the banking attitude toward the simulated failed engine side caused the minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc) to exceed the calculated V2 speed. Other environmental and physical factors included the presence of wind shear and potential performance degradation due to ice roughness on the wing surfaces.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced an unrecoverable leftward yaw and slip when power was restored to the left engine, exacerbated by banking toward the simulated failed engine side.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1969-11-01 Convair CV-440 Metropolitan accident near Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden?

A training flight involving a single-engine aircraft resulted in a ground impact during the initial climb phase after power was restored to an engine following a simulated failure.

Were there any fatalities in the 1969-11-01 Convair CV-440 Metropolitan accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1969-11-01 involved a Convair CV-440 Metropolitan, registration SE-BSU, operated by Linjeflyg, at Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced an unrecoverable leftward yaw and slip when power was restored to the left engine, exacerbated by banking toward the simulated failed engine side.

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