What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation from Ostend to Conakry, via Algiers, a four-engine aircraft was performing its takeoff roll on runway 26 at Ostend Airport. The flight was transporting 32 tons of medical supplies and paint, accompanied by a crew of eight. During the acceleration phase, an engine fire warning light illuminated on the cockpit instrument panel.
In response to the warning, the pilot aborted the takeoff and applied emergency braking. However, the aircraft could not come to a complete stop before the end of the runway. The plane overran the paved surface by approximately 40 metres. During the excursion, the nose landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to tilt and eventually come to rest on its left wing. The incident resulted in zero fatalities and zero injuries among the eight crew members, all of whom evacuated safely.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained extensive damage, including structural damage to the fuselage where the cockpit area was bent upward.
- Both left-side engine nacelles and the wingtip were damaged during the event.
- The engine fire warning was the primary trigger for the aborted takeoff procedure.