Fatal aircraft accident during initial climb

3 fatalities • Tarapoto, Peru • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff during its initial climb phase, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.

What happened

During the early stages of flight, immediately following liftoff, the aircraft entered an unrecoverable state. While performing its initial climb, the plane experienced a sudden upward pitch of the nose, which led to an aerodynamic stall. The subsequent impact resulted in three fatalities among the crew members on board.

Findings

Investigations into the accident revealed that the primary factor was a significant shift in the onboard cargo load. This movement occurred just after the aircraft reached rotation speed. The resulting displacement caused the center of gravity to migrate forward, forcing the nose upward. Due to this sudden change in weight distribution, the crew was unable to exert sufficient control over the aircraft to prevent the stall and subsequent crash.

Probable cause

The forward movement of the aircraft's center of gravity caused by shifting cargo led to an uncontrollable nose-up pitch and stall.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1955-06-16 Lockheed 14 Super Electra accident near Tarapoto, Peru?

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff during its initial climb phase, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 1955-06-16 Lockheed 14 Super Electra accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1955-06-16 involved a Lockheed 14 Super Electra, registration OB-QAG-338, operated by Transportes Aéreos Peruanas - TAPSA, at Tarapoto, Peru.

What was the probable cause of the accident?