Accident description
languages:
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | 06 NOV 1963 |
| Time: | 21:15 UTC |
| Type: | Douglas DC-8-54F |
| Operator: | Trans Canada Air Lines - TCAL |
| Registration: | CF-TJM |
| C/n / msn: | 45653/178 |
| First flight: | 1963 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1958 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D- |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 90 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 97 |
| Airplane damage: | Substantial |
| Airplane fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) (United Kingdom)
 |
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), United Kingdom |
| Montreal (unknown airport), QC, Canada | |
| Flightnumber: | 861 |
Following a failed attempt to take-off from runway 28L, the captain decided to try runway 28R because the runway visual range (RVR) was reported 500 yards, whereas the RVR of 28L was 150 yards. While speeding through 132 knots the captain moved the control column back, but felt no response. Because the controls felt as though they were not connected, he decided to abort the takeoff. The DC-8 overran the runway at high speed and came to rest in a cabbage field, 800 yards past the end of the runway.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain in the mistaken belief that the elevator control system was defective, abandoned the take-off at a speed and position on the runway which precluded the possibility of bringing the aircraft to a halt in the runway length remaining." Events:
Sources:
» ICAO Circular 78-AN/66 (p.47-54)
