What happened
On July 30, a scheduled cargo flight arriving from Anchorage International Airport (ANC) was completing its final leg to Newark International Airport (EWR). The flight, which had previously stopped in Singapore, Penang, and Taipei, was operating under instrument flight rules. The crew, consisting of a captain, a first officer, and three passengers, was managing the approach to runway 22R during the night.
Prior to the flight, the McDonnell Douglas aircraft had been dispatched with the number one engine thrust reverser inoperative. During the descent, the flight crew calculated landing distances using an airport performance laptop, comparing medium and maximum autobrake settings. Due to the known mechanical limitations, the crew decided to utilize maximum autobrakes for the landing. The captain also noted that the left landing light was not functioning.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the captain transitioned to manual flight at 1,200 feet. The aircraft maintained the glideslope and localizer until touchdown at 01:32:18. Following the initial contact with the runway, the aircraft experienced a secondary impact and a subsequent roll to the right. The aircraft slid down the runway and eventually came to rest inverted approximately 5,126 feet past the runway threshold. The impact and a following fire caused the total destruction of the McDonnell Douglas aircraft. All 5 occupants sustained minor injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a known mechanical deficiency involving the left engine thrust reverser.
- The flight crew had specifically prepared for a high-deceleration landing by selecting the maximum autobrake setting.
- The aircraft's landing roll involved a secondary touchdown and a roll that led to the plane flipping over.