Investigation Summary
The aircraft was dispatched from Manila with the number one engine thrust reverser deactivated, a condition permitted under the Minimum Equipment List. During the approach to Bacolod, the crew used the autothrust system in speed mode. Standard procedure for landing an A320 with one inoperative reverser requires both thrust levers to be retarded to the idle detent upon touchdown to ensure ground spoiler deployment and autothrust disengagement. However, the pilot flying left the number one lever in the climb detent while moving the number two lever to reverse. Because the flight computers detected one engine still in a high-power setting, the ground spoilers remained retracted, significantly reducing braking effectiveness. Furthermore, the autothrust system disengaged as designed when the number two lever entered the reverse range, but this caused the number one engine to accelerate to the power level commanded by its physical lever position (climb thrust). The massive thrust imbalance caused the aircraft to swerve right. In an attempt to regain control, the crew moved the number two engine out of reverse and increased its power, but the aircraft had insufficient distance to stop, overrunning the runway at high speed.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded the primary cause was the pilot flying's failure to properly assess the aircraft's situational condition during touchdown with an inoperative reverser, leading to extreme differential power application. A significant contributory factor was the crew's lack of technical systems knowledge regarding the A320's logic and a failure to appreciate the requirements of the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) regarding thrust lever management during landing.
Video Analysis
Philippine Airlines Flight 137 Aftermath Footage | 22 March 1998 Bacolod City, Philippines — Archival news and aftermath footage showing the wreckage of RP-C3222 after it plowed through a residential area near Bacolod City Domestic Airport.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Theodore Facun
First Officer
Johansen C. Fernandez
Systems & Failure Modes
Autothrust (A/THR)
On the A320, if one thrust lever is moved to the reverse range while the other remains in a forward detent, the autothrust system automatically disengages, causing the engine with the forward lever to match the physical lever position.
Ground Spoilers
The automatic deployment of ground spoilers requires both thrust levers to be at or near the idle position; leaving one lever in the climb detent inhibited their deployment, preventing effective aerodynamic braking.
Nosewheel Steering
Hand-steering is disabled at speeds above 70 knots, and rudder pedal steering is limited to 6 degrees, leaving the pilots unable to counteract the high-speed asymmetrical thrust veer.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was approximately one year old, having been manufactured in 1997 (MSN 708).
- 02All 130 passengers and crew survived the crash, though 69 people (including those on the ground) sustained injuries.
- 03The three fatalities were residents on the ground who were struck by the aircraft as it plowed through their homes.
- 04The runway at Bacolod was 1,956 meters long, which contributed to the crew's anxiety about stopping quickly.
- 05The aircraft was written off due to severe structural damage, including a ripped-open nose and twisted wings.
Safety Actions & Advisories
MEL Training Enhancement
The investigation highlighted the need for better pilot appreciation of Minimum Equipment List (MEL) provisions and the technical logic of automated systems when operating with deferred maintenance items.