Flight History and Pre-Departure
On 22 September, the aircraft arrived in Amman from Beirut on a charter flight with the same crew and passengers at 1515 GMT. The departure was originally scheduled for 0900 GMT on the 23rd but was advanced to 0700 GMT. The crew volunteered to operate the flight as the scheduled crew could not be notified of the change. The aircraft was refueled with 260 US gallons at 1830 GMT, bringing the fuel load to 4,500 lb, with approximately 200 lb in the fuselage tank. The fueling and morning departure were supervised by a licensed Arab Wing mechanic. The first officer conducted an outside pre-flight inspection and requested take-off data from the tower.
Take-Off and Loss of Control
At approximately 0700, the right-hand engine was started. Startup clearance was requested at 0703, and the crew was notified that startup would be at 0715. When clearance was given, the captain requested taxi clearance, and during taxi, the crew was advised to slow down. Due to coordination of traffic beyond Jordan's borders, the crew was informed that take-off clearance would be at 0729 or later. At 0724, a take-off request was made, and the tower advised clearance at 0729. At 0729, clearance was granted; after acknowledgment, no further voice communication was received from the aircraft. Fifty-five seconds later, a Mayday call was reported from a taxiing Academy aircraft.
The aircraft was observed after take-off from runway 24 to suddenly drop the left wing while in a climb attitude. It then recovered to wings level before entering a slow roll to the right while beginning to descend. During the descending roll, the nose oscillated once or twice, suggesting forward stick pressure. Recovery was not achieved, and the aircraft impacted in an inverted position on hard ground approximately 8 feet north of the parallel taxiway.
Impact and Wreckage
The aircraft disintegrated upon impact, separating into three major sections: cockpit and cabin, aft fuselage from the fuel tank bulkhead to the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, and wings with landing gear extended. Fuel ignition occurred at ground impact of the right wing tip tank, and fire contributed to damage to the aft fuselage and wing leading edges. The cockpit and cargo floor came to rest approximately 350 feet along the ground path, while the aft fuselage was stopped by a tree 375 feet along the path. The wings landed inverted at a distance of 573 feet, with leading edges facing the main wreckage. The accident was not survivable due to the impact forces experienced.
Probable Cause
The official findings state that the highest probability centers around a possible fuel imbalance at the time of take-off. Tests conducted by a senior Arab Wings flight crew member in a Lear Jet simulator, using data applicable to the aircraft and field conditions, produced similar results and loss of control through right roll due to inability to center rudder control after wings level.