Runway excursion involving aircraft during takeoff roll

No fatalities • Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City), Ecuador • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft experienced a tire failure during its takeoff roll, leading to a runway overrun and significant damage to the airframe.

What happened

While performing a takeoff roll on runway 35, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous failure of both left main gear tires. This incident occurred once the aircraft had reached a speed of 125 knots and had traveled a distance of 2,110 meters along the runway.

Upon the tire bursts, the crew initiated an aborted takeoff procedure. However, the remaining runway length of approximately 1,010 meters proved insufficient to bring the aircraft to a complete stop. The aircraft subsequently exited the paved surface, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear. The sequence ended when the aircraft came to a halt 81 meters beyond the end of the runway.

Findings

  • The primary factor in the excursion was the bursting of both left main gear tires during the high-speed portion of the takeoff roll.
  • All 77 occupants on board successfully evacuated the aircraft without any reported injuries.
  • The aircraft sustained structural damage that rendered it a total loss.

Probable cause

The simultaneous failure of both left main gear tires during the takeoff roll prevented the aircraft from stopping within the available runway distance.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-01-17 Fokker F28 Fellowship accident near Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City), Ecuador?

An aircraft experienced a tire failure during its takeoff roll, leading to a runway overrun and significant damage to the airframe.

Were there any fatalities in the 2003-01-17 Fokker F28 Fellowship accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-01-17 involved a Fokker F28 Fellowship, registration HC-BMD, operated by Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Ecuatorianos - TAME, at Quito-Mariscal Sucre (City), Ecuador.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The simultaneous failure of both left main gear tires during the takeoff roll prevented the aircraft from stopping within the available runway distance.

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