Accident Overview
A Douglas DC-8 aircraft, operating a crew training flight, overran the departure end of runway 29R at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, California. The aircraft departed the runway, struck a roadway, causing the left main and nose landing gears to collapse. The airplane came to rest 792 feet beyond the end of the runway and was subsequently destroyed by fire. All five crewmembers aboard were uninjured.
Sequence of Events
The flight originated at Oakland International Airport (OAK) and was scheduled to return there. Training maneuvers were to be conducted in the Stockton area, with landing and takeoff practice at Stockton Metropolitan Airport. During a touch-and-go landing on runway 29R, the captain rejected the takeoff after a takeoff warning horn sounded and the ground spoiler extend light activated. The crew was unable to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause is a false ground spoiler position indication during the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go landing. This indication induced the captain to discontinue the takeoff at a point too far down the runway to allow the aircraft to be stopped on the runway.