Investigation Summary
Shortly after takeoff, while performing a rapid climb to avoid ground threats, the aircraft was struck on the left wing by a surface-to-air missile at approximately 8,000 feet. Most sources identify the weapon as a 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-14 Gremlin), though some reports suggest it may have been a 9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7). The explosion caused a fire and catastrophic structural damage, leading to the immediate depletion of all three hydraulic systems. The aircraft entered a phugoid cycle, oscillating between nose-up and nose-down positions. The crew, led by Captain Éric Gennotte, applied techniques similar to those used by the crew of United Airlines Flight 232, using asymmetrical engine power to steer and manage pitch. Flight Engineer Mario Rofail performed a gravity extension of the landing gear to increase drag and stabilize the descent. Despite the lack of conventional controls and a high landing speed, the crew managed to touch down on runway 33L. The aircraft veered off the runway into soft ground and razor wire but came to a stop without injuries to the crew.
Final Conclusions
The incident was caused by a deliberate surface to air missile strike by Iraqi insurgents. The successful outcome is attributed to the exceptional airmanship and CRM of the three crew members, who successfully adapted to a total loss of flight controls. The aircraft was eventually repaired and re-registered as N1452 in November 2004, then put up for sale, but it remained unsold and stayed at Baghdad International Airport. The N1452 registration expired in 2017.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
DHL Cargo Plane Crew's Fight for Life in War Zone | Mayday — A DHL cargo plane is hit by a missile while carrying mail during the Iraq War. The crew must fight to land the badly damaged Airbus A300 using only engine thrust.
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Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
38-year-old Belgian; more than half of hours on A300. Name: Éric Gennotte.
First Officer
29-year-old Belgian. Name: Steeve Michielsen.
Flight Engineer
54-year-old Scotsman. Name: Mario Rofail.
Systems & Failure Modes
Hydraulic Systems
The A300 has three independent hydraulic systems. The missile strike caused physical damage that led to the total loss of fluid and pressure in all three, leaving the flight control surfaces immovable.
Differential Thrust
By varying the power between the left and right engines, the crew could induce yaw to turn the plane. Increasing or decreasing power on both engines simultaneously allowed for pitch control.
Gravity Gear Extension
Because the primary hydraulic extension failed, the crew used a manual release to allow the landing gear to fall and lock into place using gravity and aerodynamic forces.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a 24-year-old Airbus A300B4-203F, Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 093, manufactured in 1979.
- 02The missile strike caused a fire and the disintegration of outboard fuel tank 1A.
- 03The crew used differential engine thrust as the sole means of pilot input for pitch, yaw, and roll.
- 04The landing was performed without flaps or slats, resulting in a significantly higher than normal landing speed.
- 05All three crew members survived without injury and were later awarded the Polaris Award and the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Airmanship Recognition
The incident served as a primary case study for flight crew training regarding total flight control failure and the use of differential thrust in emergencies.
Industry Safety Recognition
Source ↗The Honourable Company of Air Pilots awarded the crew the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award, and IFALPA awarded the Polaris Award, recognizing the incident as a significant contribution to future air safety and exceptional airmanship.