Narrative:
The MK Airlines freighter struck trees during a VOR approach to Port Harcourt runway 21. A go-around was commenced, but when the DC-8 didn't respond as expected, the pilot decided to continue to land. The aircraft touched down 250 m short of the runway, hit some approach lights, ran onto the runway and then veered off the left side of the runway.
CAUSE: A highly unstabilised approach that resulted in a touch down half a mile from the runway threshold.
Undershoot/overshoot
» Scramble 213
» The Federal Ministry of Aviation Nigeria
accident date: 17-12-1996
type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8F-55 JT
registration: 9G-MKD
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 17 December 1996 |
| Time: | 05:00 |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas DC-8-55F |
| Operator: | MK Airlines |
| Registration: | 9G-MKD |
| MSN: | 45965/346 |
| First flight: | 1968 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B (Q) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Port Harcourt Airport (PHC) ( Nigeria)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Luxembourg-Findel Airport (LUX/ELLX), Luxembourg |
| Port Harcourt Airport (PHC/DNPO), Nigeria |
The MK Airlines freighter struck trees during a VOR approach to Port Harcourt runway 21. A go-around was commenced, but when the DC-8 didn't respond as expected, the pilot decided to continue to land. The aircraft touched down 250 m short of the runway, hit some approach lights, ran onto the runway and then veered off the left side of the runway.
Probable Cause:
CAUSE: A highly unstabilised approach that resulted in a touch down half a mile from the runway threshold.
Classification:
Landing after unstabilized approachUndershoot/overshoot
Sources:
» Aircraft Illustrated Mar. 1997» Scramble 213
» The Federal Ministry of Aviation Nigeria
Photos
accident date: 17-12-1996
type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8F-55 JT
registration: 9G-MKD
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 Luxembourg-Findel Airport to Port Harcourt Airport as the crow flies is 4925 km (3078 miles).
Distance from Luxembourg-Findel Airport to Port Harcourt Airport as the crow flies is 4925 km (3078 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.
languages: 
Nigeria
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