Incident Overview
On 17 February 2017, a Boeing 737-524, registration VP-BVS, operated by VIM-Airlines, was involved in a serious incident during takeoff from runway 18 at Riga International Airport (RIX). The aircraft was performing scheduled flight MOV-9945 from Riga to Ufa International Airport. This was the first flight of the day for the flight crew.
Flight History
At 09:58:19 UTC, the Riga Tower controller issued clearance for take-off from runway 18. Shortly after takeoff was initiated, the aircraft began a slight left turn followed by a sharp right turn. It deviated from the runway, traveled along the grass adjacent to the runway for approximately 600 m, and struck a runway visual range (RVR) installation and power boxes before returning to the runway. The aircraft vacated the runway via taxiway D at 10:10:36 UTC.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-524, serial number 28915, built in 1998. It was registered to TFM Aviation Limited and operated by VIM-Airlines. Total airframe time was 43,117 hours with 21,841 cycles. Both engines were CFM International CFM56-3B1 models.
The pilot-in-command was a 50-year-old male with 14,452 total flight hours, including 5,586 hours on type. The first officer was a 54-year-old male with 7,543 total flight hours, including 2,640 hours on type. Both held valid licenses and medical certificates.
Damage
Visual inspection revealed damage to the left main gear center and inner doors, the left engine inlet cowl and fan cowl panel, and the right wing leading edge slat No. 5. All landing gear tires showed cuts, wear, and tear. Both engines ingested large amounts of dirt, mud, and grass. Borescope inspection of both engines found debris in the boost and high-pressure compressor sections, as well as surface damage to compressor stages. The RVR sensors and a power box at the airport were destroyed, but airport operations resumed after initial investigation.
Investigation
The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau of Latvia (TAIIB) conducted the investigation. Cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder data were analyzed at the AAIB laboratory in the UK. No injuries to persons were reported.