ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-406M PH-BFC Anchorage, AK
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Friday 15 December 1989
Time:11:48
Type:Silhouette image of generic B744 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing 747-406M
Operator:KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Registration: PH-BFC
MSN: 23982/735
First flight: 1989-06-30 (6 months)
Total airframe hrs:705
Engines: 4 General Electric CF6-80C2B1F
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 14
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 231
Total:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 245
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Aircraft fate: Repaired
Location:near Anchorage, AK (   United States of America)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:International Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS/EHAM), Netherlands
Destination airport:Anchorage International Airport, AK (ANC/PANC), United States of America
Flightnumber:KL867
Narrative:
At FL250 the aircraft flew into a normal looking cloud, which turned out to be a volcanic ash cloud (the result of an eruption of Mount Redoubt). Power was added to climb out of the cloud. About 10-15 seconds later all 4 engines failed and the standby electrical system failed. The crew were able to restart the engines after numerous attempts. The no. 1 and 2 engines were relit while descending through FL130 and the remaining 2 engines were relit at FL110. The aircraft landed safely at Anchorage, substantially damaged by the in-flight blasting by volcanic ash. The windshields were damaged, as were internal aircraft systems, avionics and electronics.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Inadvertent encounter with volcanic ash cloud, which resulted in damage from foreign material (foreign object) and subsequent compressor stalling of all engines. A factor related to the accident was: the lack of available information about the ash cloud to all personnel involved."

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: NTSB
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 2 years and 7 months
Accident number: ANC90FA020
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Ash cloud
Forced landing on runway

Sources:
» NTSB


Photos

photo of Boeing-747-406-PH-BFC
accident date: 15-12-1989
type: Boeing 747-406
registration: PH-BFC
 

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport to Anchorage International Airport, AK as the crow flies is 7147 km (4467 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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