What happened
On a foggy morning at Milan-Linate airport, an SAS MD-87 was preparing for departure to Copenhagen. After receiving clearance to taxi and takeoff, the crew of the MD-8t began its takeoff roll on runway 36R. Simultaneously, a Cessna 525A CitationJet 2, registration D-IEVX, was taxiing from the General Aviation apron toward the main runway.
While navigating the taxiway system, the pilot of the Cessna 525A CitationJet 2 mistakenly followed a diverging taxi line, leading the aircraft onto taxiway R6. As the MD-87 accelerated down the runway, the D-IEVX crossed the runway holding position and entered the active runway 18L/36R.
During the takeoff roll, the MD-87 crew observed the presence of the smaller aircraft through the fog and applied significant nose-up elevator. This maneuver caused the aircraft to strike the Cessna 525A CitationJet 2. The impact resulted in severe damage to the MD-87, including the loss of the right main landing gear leg, damage to the right wing and flaps, and the separation of the number 2 engine from its pylon.
Although the MD-87 briefly became airborne, the ingestion of debris into the left engine caused a loss of thrust. The aircraft descended sharply, striking the runway with its remaining gear and wingtip. The plane subsequently skidded off the runway, crossed a service road, and crashed into a baggage handling building, causing a partial collapse of the structure. There were 0 fatalities reported in the provided text, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
Findings
- The pilot of the Cessna 525A CitationJet 2 incorrectly followed a taxiway path, leading the aircraft into the path of the departing airliner.
- Low visibility due to fog contributed to the difficulty in spotting the crossing aircraft.
- The crew of the MD-87 attempted an evasive maneuver via nose-up elevator, which contributed to the structural damage and subsequent loss of control.