Investigation Summary
Flight 7332 was a night cargo service operated by ASL Airlines Hungary on behalf of DHL (European Air Transport). As the aircraft approached Bergamo, the area was experiencing severe weather, including thunderstorms and heavy rain. The crew was cleared for an ILS approach to runway 28. Despite the challenging conditions and a reported tailwind component, the crew continued the approach. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 140 feet AGL, significantly higher than the standard 50 feet, and at a speed of 156 knots. Instead of touching down, the aircraft entered a prolonged flare. It flew over the runway for a total of 18 seconds before touchdown, which included a 14-second float period between 20 and 30 feet AGL while maintaining a constant speed of 155 knots. Touchdown finally occurred 2,000 meters beyond the threshold, leaving only about 750 meters of paved surface remaining. The crew applied maximum braking and reverse thrust, but the aircraft could not be stopped. It exited the runway at 109 knots, destroyed the localizer antenna, breached the perimeter fence, and traversed several roads and a parking lot before stopping on the SP591bis highway. The impact caused the separation of both engines and the collapse of all landing gear.
Final Conclusions
The Italian National Agency for the Safety of Flight (ANSV) released its final report in August 2018. The primary cause was identified as a loss of situational awareness regarding the aircraft's position relative to the runway, leading to a delayed touchdown at high speed. Contributing factors included the captain's decision not to initiate a go-around, the failure to disconnect the autothrottle before landing, and inadequate maintenance of flight parameters. The report specifically noted that the crew did not realize the aircraft had flown over the runway for 18 seconds before touchdown. Environmental factors, specifically the poor lighting and storm cells, hindered the crew's ability to acquire external visual references. The report also noted a lack of assertiveness from the first officer and possible fatigue, as the crew had completed two night sectors prior to the accident flight.
Video Analysis
The Plane That Landed On A Highway | ASL Airlines Flight 7332 — A detailed look at the runway overrun of ASL Airlines Flight 7332 in Bergamo, Italy, exploring how weather and human factors led a Boeing 737 to end up on a public road.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Autothrottle (A/T)
The crew failed to disconnect the autothrottle before landing, which contributed to the unstable approach and prolonged float.
Localizer Antenna
The aircraft destroyed the runway 28 localizer antenna during the overrun sequence.
CFM56-3C1 Engines
Both engines were sheared off the wings as the aircraft traveled through the airport perimeter and onto the highway.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft touched down with only approximately 750 meters of runway remaining.
- 02The Boeing 737-400 sustained substantial structural damage, including the loss of both engines and all landing gear.
- 03The crew had already completed two night flight sectors before the accident flight.
- 04The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at nearly three times the standard height (140 feet vs 50 feet).
- 05A fire broke out in the wreckage months later, in February 2017, while workers were cutting the airframe for transport.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Go-around Decision Making
The investigation emphasized the crucial importance of adhering to stabilized approach criteria and the necessity of initiating a go-around when parameters are not met.