Accident Details
On 24 December 2002, a commercial aircraft registered as OY-BPH was involved in an accident at Aberdeen Airport. The accident occurred around 0748 hrs local time, shortly after take-off from Runway 16. The aircraft came to rest on a road after striking the ground with its right wing, sliding through a fence, and hitting a car. Both pilots evacuated without serious injuries, and no serious injuries were reported among potential car occupants.
Flight Preparation
The pilots arrived at Aberdeen Airport at approximately 0630 hrs. The aircraft had no mail cargo, and the crew planned to fly directly to their home airport in Denmark. The aircraft had been refuelled the previous day, with 2,200 lb of fuel on board, sufficient for the flight. The take-off weight was calculated as 12,000 lb, below the maximum take-off weight of 16,000 lb.
At 0720 hrs, weather conditions included surface wind 150°M/12 kt, visibility 2,500 metres in mist, scattered cloud at 100 feet, overcast at 200 feet, temperature +9°C, and QNH 994 hPa. The runway was wet, and Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) had been in force since 0633 hrs.
Take-off and Engine Issues
The aircraft, callsign 'Birdie Nine Two Four', was cleared to taxi to 'Whiskey Five' for Runway 16 at 0740 hrs. After lineup clearance, the controller cleared the aircraft for take-off at 0743 hrs with instructions for a left turn direct KARLI. The crew acknowledged.
During the take-off roll with flaps at ¼, the commander set reduced power. The aircraft achieved V1 and VR speeds (coincident at 100 kt). After rotation to 12°-15° nose-up, the co-pilot detected a yaw to the right and a smell of smoke. He called an engine failure and attempted corrective inputs. The commander noted the aircraft rolling right and identified a problem with the right (No 2) engine. The commander advanced both power levers, but the No 2 engine indicated about 600°C EGT, and the No 1 engine indicated >650°C with a 'Bypass' light on. The commander reduced No 1 power until the light extinguished (EGT ~630°C). The commander later recalled a sound like a compressor stall from the right engine. The co-pilot heard an automatic 'Bank Angle' warning. Despite pulling the No 2 engine 'Stop and Feather Control', the aircraft struck the ground with the right wing.
Impact and Evacuation
The aircraft slid through a field and fence onto a road, hitting a car. The co-pilot observed the right wing on fire. Both pilots evacuated: the co-pilot via the left door, the commander after pulling the No 1 engine 'Stop and Feather Control' and activating both fire extinguishers. Outside, the co-pilot checked the car but saw someone running away. Both pilots moved away from the aircraft.
Emergency Response
The co-pilot contacted ATC by mobile phone at 0748 hrs. Emergency services had been alerted by a member of the public at 0745 hrs reporting a road accident. Local fire service arrived at 0753 hrs, followed by Airport Fire Service vehicles from 0754 hrs. The fire was extinguished quickly, and the Fire Officer confirmed all occupants were located with no serious injuries. The airport reopened at 0954 hrs.
Investigation Findings
The investigation was hampered by the lack of flight data recorder (FDR) data. Evidence from the crew and initial aircraft examination pointed to a major loss of power in the right engine. Dead birds and a section of braided wire found on the runway were considered but not determined to be causal factors. The braided wire did not originate from OY-BPH. Bird ingestion evidence was found in the left engine but not the right. The left engine showed damage consistent with high power at impact; the right engine showed damage consistent with low or no power, either from a genuine loss or from the commander pulling the 'Stop and Feather' control just before impact. However, an exhaustive examination of the right engine found no evidence of any failure. The crew's recollection of low EGT (600°C) suggested possible flame-out or reduced power, but fuel contamination tests were negative, and no other aircraft reported fuel problems that day.