Investigation Summary
The flight was a multi-leg scheduled service from Saipan to Palau. During the approach to Yap, the captain performed a non-standard maneuver, briefly relinquishing control to the first officer to take photographs of the airport before resuming control for the final approach. The NTSB investigation found that the captain flew a shallow approach with an improper aim point. As the aircraft neared the threshold, the captain prematurely reduced thrust, leading to a high rate of descent. The aircraft struck the rising terrain just 13 feet before the paved surface of runway 07. The impact forces exceeded the design limits of the right main landing gear, causing it to shear off. The aircraft then slid 1,700 feet into the jungle. The subsequent fire was intense, but the rapid evacuation prevented any fatalities.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the captain's premature reduction of thrust and use of a shallow approach slope to an improper aim point. A significant contributing factor was the captain's lack of recent experience in the Boeing 727, as he had recently been flying the DC-10 and had transferred landing techniques from the larger wide-body aircraft to the 727. The investigation was documented in report NTSB-AAR-81-7, issued on September 10, 1981.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Had recently transitioned from the DC-10; lacked recent 727 experience and transferred wide-body landing techniques to the 727.
First Officer
Briefly handled controls during the downwind leg while the captain took photographs.
Systems & Failure Modes
Right Main Landing Gear
Separated from the airframe upon impact with the rising terrain short of the runway due to loads exceeding design strength.
Thrust Management
The captain's premature reduction of engine thrust during the final approach resulted in an excessive sink rate.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Boeing 727-92C manufactured in 1966.
- 02The impact occurred on upward-sloping terrain just 13 feet short of the runway threshold.
- 03The right main landing gear failed because the impact loads exceeded its design strength.
- 04The captain had recently transitioned from the DC-10 and lacked recent 727 experience.
- 05The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire but there were zero fatalities.
Safety Actions & Advisories
NTSB Safety Recommendations A-81-61/62
Recommendations issued following the investigation to address pilot proficiency and transition training between different aircraft types.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the entered by an editor.