What happened
During preparations for departure at Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew encountered difficulties starting one of the engines due to a blocked pneumatic valve. After resolving this issue, the crew utilized a ground power unit to start two engines, while the third engine was successfully started during the taxi phase. The aircraft, weighing 73,309 kilograms, began its takeoff roll on runway 17.
Upon reaching rotation speed (Vr), the pilot-in-command attempted to lift the nose, but the aircraft failed to respond to the rotation command. Following a ten-second delay in decision-making, the crew elected to abort the takeoff. The captain applied emergency braking, but the remaining 800 meters of runway were inadequate to bring the plane to a halt. The aircraft subsequently exited the runway, collided with a concrete wall and an auto spare parts warehouse, and came to rest near a soccer field where it caught fire.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating within its maximum weight limitations at the time of the incident.
- A delay in the decision to abort the takeoff contributed to the inability to stop within the remaining runway distance.