Unforgivable!! The Tragic tale of Air Algérie Flight 6289

Summary

On March 6, 2003, Air Algerie Flight 6289 crashed after an engine failure during takeoff from Tamanrasset Airport. The crew's inadequate preparation and non-adherence to standard procedures, such as not retracting the landing gear and the captain's sudden takeover, contributed to the tragedy. The flight, operated with a 20-year-old Boeing 737-200, had a takeoff weight close to its maximum, exacerbating the situation. Despite the captain's inexperience on the aircraft type, he failed to identify the problem and follow proper emergency protocols, leading to the aircraft's rapid descent and crash, resulting in 102 fatalities and a sole survivor.

Takeaways

• 😨 The flight was delayed due to a hydraulic pump issue, highlighting the importance of pre-flight checks and maintenance.
• ✈️ The aircraft was a 20-year-old Boeing 737-200, indicating that age can be a factor in aircraft performance and safety.
• 🔥 The left engine's high-pressure turbine blades fractured due to thermal fatigue, underscoring the need for regular engine inspections.
• 📉 The aircraft was close to its maximum takeoff weight, which could have affected its performance during the emergency.
• 🛫 The first officer was left to complete pre-flight preparations alone, emphasizing the necessity of teamwork and communication in flight operations.
• 👨‍✈️ The captain's lack of recent experience on the 737 and his distraction during the flight contributed to the inadequate handling of the emergency.
• 🛑 The crew failed to follow standard operating procedures, such as retracting the landing gear and using correct engine thrust settings after an engine failure.
• 🚨 The captain took control from the first officer without fully understanding the situation, demonstrating the potential dangers of non-standard cockpit responses during emergencies.
• 🔇 The lack of effective communication and crew resource management (CRM) in the cockpit was a significant factor in the accident.
• 🔥 The aircraft's impact and subsequent fire resulted in a high number of fatalities, illustrating the critical nature of quick and correct emergency response.

Q & A

What was the date of the Air Algerie flight incident described in the script?

The incident occurred on the 6th of March, 2003.

What was the issue that caused the initial delay of the flight?

The flight was delayed almost three hours due to a problem with the system B hydraulic pump.

How old was the Boeing 737-200 aircraft involved in the incident?

The aircraft was almost 20 years old at the time of the incident.

What was the significance of the left engine's status in the story?

The left engine had clocked over 30,000 hours, and its high number of hours, along with cracks in the high-pressure turbine blades, played a crucial role in the engine failure during the flight.

Why did the captain not attend the initial briefing with the rest of the crew?

The captain did not attend the initial briefing because he arrived later when the issue with the hydraulic pump had been resolved.

What was the impact of the high temperature and high altitude on the aircraft's performance?

The high temperature and high altitude affected the aircraft's performance by increasing the density altitude, which reduced the air density and thus the lift and thrust, requiring a higher speed and longer takeoff distance.

Why was the first officer preparing to operate as pilot flying for the first flight?

The first officer was preparing to operate as pilot flying for the first flight because the captain arrived later and she had completed all the pre-flight preparations by herself.

What was the takeoff weight of the aircraft, and how did it compare to the maximum takeoff weight?

The takeoff weight of the aircraft was 48,708 kilos, which was only about 800 kilos away from the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight.

What was the role of the purser in the cockpit, and why was his presence unusual?

The purser, who is the most senior cabin crew member, was present in the cockpit during takeoff, which is unusual as his role requires him to be in the cabin to guard the main emergency exits and help organize any issues that might arise.

What was the sequence of events that led to the aircraft's stall and crash?

The aircraft's stall and subsequent crash were caused by a combination of factors: an engine failure, the captain taking over controls without properly identifying the problem, failure to retract the landing gear, and the aircraft's rapid descent due to the captain maintaining a high pitch attitude without enough speed.

What were the recommendations made by the investigation after the accident?

The investigation recommended increased Crew Resource Management (CRM) training for all pilots at Air Algerie, more focus on conformity of engine failure training, and the implementation of a better flight safety program to monitor and analyze flight data.