TAP Air Portugal Flight 425 accident at Funchal (CS-TBR)

Overview and flight details On 19 November 1977, Transportes Aéreos Portugueses (TAP Air Portugal) Flight 425 was operating a scheduled service from Brussels via Lisbon to Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. The aircraft was a Boeing 727-282 with the nationality and registration marks CS-TBR. The flight departed Lisbon at 19:55 local time on runway 03, carrying eight crew members and 156 passengers. ## Approach and landing During the approach to Funchal Airport, the crew received weather information indicating heavy showers, visibility between 3 and 5 km, and variable winds. The aircraft made three landing attempts. The final approach was made to runway 24. The aircraft touched down at a calibrated speed of 148.2 knots, approximately 2,060 feet (628 m) beyond the displaced threshold. ## Runway excursion and impact After touchdown, the aircraft experienced very low deceleration while skidding. It crossed the runway centerline and exited the runway end about 15 seconds after touchdown at a speed of 78.5 knots. The aircraft then projected onto a stone bridge 118 m from the runway end and about 28 m below its level. At impact, the trajectory was nearly vertical, with the tail section over the bridge and the right wing and three engines upstream of it. The remainder of the aircraft fell onto the beach near the sea, about 14 m below the first impact point. ## Damage and casualties The aircraft was completely destroyed by explosion and subsequent fire. Of the 164 people on board, 33 survived, 122 died, and 9 were missing, presumed dead.