Investigation Summary
The flight, named 'Empress of Lima', departed Honolulu at 22:38 local time. Two minutes into the climb, a fire warning for the number one engine (outer left), prompted the crew to feather the propeller. Because the aircraft was above its maximum three-engine landing weight of 135,000 pounds, the crew spent 13 minutes jettisoning fuel over the ocean. Upon returning to the airport, the three-engine approach appeared normal until the aircraft was over the runway threshold. At an altitude of approximately 20 feet, during the landing flare, the crew decided to abort the landing. As power was applied for the go-around, the aircraft's asymmetric thrust and full landing configuration (flaps and gear extended), led to a rapid loss of control. The left wing tip struck the ground 550 feet left of the runway centerline, and the aircraft struck parked construction equipment 970 feet from the centerline, leading to a massive fire that destroyed all but the rear fuselage and tail.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) determined the probable cause was the attempted three-engine go-around while the aircraft was in a full landing configuration at insufficient airspeed and altitude to maintain control. Investigators also noted a weight and balance discrepancy where 4,000 pounds of cargo had been omitted from the manifest, though the actual center of gravity remained within approved limits at 20.6 percent Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC).
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Captain H.L. Jennings
First Officer
First Officer J.D. Norton
Second Officer
Second Officer R.H. Farr
Systems & Failure Modes
No. 1 Engine Propeller
The outermost left engine propeller, which was feathered by the crew following a fire warning indication shortly after takeoff.
Fuel Jettison System
Used to dump 35,000 lbs of fuel over the ocean to bring the aircraft under the maximum allowable three-engine landing weight.
Landing Configuration
The combination of landing gear and flaps extended, which increased drag and complicated the aerodynamics of a three-engine go-around at low speed.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was originally named 'Empress of Vancouver' before being renamed 'Empress of Lima'.
- 02Thirteen of the 40 people on board survived the crash.
- 03The maximum three-engine gross landing weight for the Britannia was 135,000 pounds.
- 04Post-crash investigation revealed 4,000 pounds of cargo were missing from the official weight and balance manifest.
- 05The aircraft struck heavy earth-moving equipment parked nearly 1,000 feet from the runway centerline.