Fatal Ankara Takeoff Accident Involving a Scheduled Multi-Stop Flight (G-ARJM)

Flight Details and Crew Composition The aircraft was operating a scheduled service from London to Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Ankara, Nicosia, and Tel Aviv. From Istanbul onward, the flight was operated by British European Airways on behalf of Cyprus Airways. The operating crew, employed by BEA, consisted of a captain and two first officers. Four cabin staff employed by Cyprus Airways and 27 passengers were also aboard. ## Conditions and Takeoff The trip to Ankara was normal. The time between landing and starting engines at Ankara was 46 minutes, during which light snow was falling. At takeoff, the aircraft had a light covering of snow on the upper surface of its wings, but this deposit had no bearing on the accident. Radio-telephony tape recording showed that the aircraft taxied out along the short taxiway, then back-tracked up the runway to its takeoff position on runway 21 at the intersection with the longer taxiway. The runway length available from this position was 9,027 feet. Takeoff weight was 53,465 kg, which was 18,185 kg below maximum permissible weight or 1,085 kg below the regulated takeoff weight. ## Accident Sequence The takeoff run, in terms of distance and time, was quite normal, as were rotation and unstick. The first abnormality occurred a second or two after unstick when the aircraft rapidly assumed an excessively steep climbing angle. One witness estimated the angle achieved as about twice the normal, while another estimated it at 45° to 50°. Witnesses also reported a wing drop and variations in engine noise during this climb. The aircraft stalled with the left wing down at a height of about 450 ft, then sank to the ground in a relatively flat attitude. The accident site was 1,600 m on a bearing of 214° from Esenboğa Tower. The accident occurred at 2343LT. ## Damage and Casualties The aircraft was almost completely destroyed by impact and fire. All seven crew and 20 passengers were killed. Six passengers were seriously injured.