No fatalities

2001-04-18: Ilyushin II-76 (UR-78821) — Dart Airlines — Ostend, Belgium

Ostend, BelgiumTakeoff (climb)

On April 18, 2001, an Ilyushin II-76 (registration UR-78821) operated by Dart Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Ostend, Belgium during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: No technical anomalies were found on the aircraft; the engine fire warning light illuminated erroneously. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781202744Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine cargo aircraft overran runway 26 at Ostend Airport after aborting takeoff due to an erroneous engine fire warning. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but all eight crew members evacuated uninjured. The investigation found no technical anomalies.

Incident Summary

On a cargo flight from Ostend, Belgium, to Conakry, Guinea, with an intermediate stop in Algiers, Algeria, the aircraft was conducting its takeoff roll on runway 26 at Ostend Airport. During the roll, an engine fire warning light illuminated in the cockpit. The captain decided to abort the takeoff and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. The aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining runway distance and overran the end of the runway by approximately 40 meters. After the overrun, the nose gear collapsed, and the aircraft came to rest on its left wing. The left wingtip and both left engine nacelles were damaged, and the fuselage was bent upward near the cockpit area.

Aircraft and Personnel

The four-engine aircraft was carrying eight crew members. The cargo consisted of 32 tons of paint and medical supplies destined for the Guinean market. All eight crew members escaped the aircraft uninjured.

Damage

The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair. Specific damage included the loss of the nose gear, deformation of the fuselage upward of the cockpit, and destruction of the left wingtip and both left engine nacelles.

Investigation

The official investigation determined that no technical anomalies were found on the aircraft. The engine fire warning light had illuminated erroneously, with no actual fire present.

Probable cause

No technical anomalies were found on the aircraft; the engine fire warning light illuminated erroneously.