Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during the fourth day of a conversion base training program. The crew consisted of a commander in the left seat, a trainee first officer in the right seat, a trainee captain acting as flight engineer, and a supervisory first officer seated in the jumpseat behind the commander. The exercise was conducted under challenging wind conditions, with gusts up to 35 knots. As the aircraft reached rotation speed, the commander retarded the No. 1 thrust lever. The trainee first officer, who was handling the takeoff, failed to apply sufficient corrective rudder and aileron input within the critical 1.5-second window required for such an emergency. The aircraft climbed briefly to approximately 30 feet before the left wing dropped 20 degrees, causing the No. 1 engine to strike the runway edge. The resulting asymmetric forces caused the aircraft to yaw and roll violently to the right, leading to the No. 4 engine striking the ground. The aircraft slid sideways, shedding all four engines and collapsing the landing gear before coming to rest at a runway intersection.
Final Conclusions
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that the accident was caused by a loss of control resulting from a delay in taking full corrective action during a simulated outboard engine failure exercise. The investigation noted that while a pilot must typically react within 1.5 seconds to such a failure, the trainee took between 2 and 3 seconds to respond, which was insufficient to maintain directional control at low altitude and high power settings.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Commander
Aged 48; seated in the left pilot's seat.
Trainee First Officer
Aged 29; seated in the right pilot's seat and flying the aircraft.
Systems & Failure Modes
Rolls-Royce Conway 508
The aircraft was powered by four bypass turbofans; the simulation involved manually retarding the thrust lever of the outboard No. 1 engine.
Flight Data Recorder
The AAIB used FDR data to determine that the trainee's reaction time to the simulated failure was 2-3 seconds, exceeding the recommended 1.5 seconds.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Boeing 707-436, MSN 17712/164, manufactured in 1960.
- 02The aircraft had previously served with BOAC and BEA Airtours before joining British Airtours.
- 03The takeoff was performed at a light training weight of 94,580 kg.
- 04The simulated failure occurred exactly at rotation (VR), leaving very little margin for error.
- 05All four crew members successfully evacuated the burning wreckage, with only one minor injury reported.
- 06The internal fire burned for approximately 50 minutes before being fully extinguished.
- 07This 1977 training accident is distinct from the 1985 British Airtours Flight 28M disaster in Manchester, which involved a Boeing 737 and resulted in 55 fatalities.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Training Procedure Review
The investigation highlighted the risks of simulating outboard engine failures at low altitudes and high power settings during the critical rotation phase.