Narrative:
Flight RCN302 took off from Oostende (OST), Belgium at 03:28 with a cargo of 35 tons of electronics. Heading south over Chimay, Belgium while at FL240 the aircraft encountered turbulence. The no. 3 engine detached, forcing the crew to return to Oostende. A holding pattern was flown to burn up fuel. While holding the airplane also suffered hydraulical problems. Finally an emergency landing was carried out at Oostende at 05:44. The plane overshot runway 26 by 100 m and came to rest just next to the localizer antenna.
Laboratory analyses revealed the presence of a fatigue crack on the inner mid spar fitting of engine #3. The crack has been present for a reasonable time. The Airworthiness Directive 93-11-02 asks the replacement of the fittings by improved model at least for July 97. The fittings of engine #3 were from the old design.
Due to the non application of AD 93-11-02, the aircraft was in a non-airworthy condition.
Engine separation
Forced landing on runway
» Report on the accident B707 - reg. 5N-VRG at Ostend Airport on 14th November 1998 / Ministerie van Verkeer en Infrastructuur
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
| Status: | Information verified through authorities or other official sources. |
| Date: | Saturday 14 November 1998 |
| Time: | 05:44 |
| Type: |  Boeing 707-355C |
| Operator: | IAT Cargo |
| Registration: | 5N-VRG |
| MSN: | 19664/643 |
| First flight: | 1968 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 67790 |
| Cycles: | 15984 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B (HK) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Oostende Airport (OST) ( Belgium)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Oostende Airport (OST/EBOS), Belgium |
| Lagos-Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS/DNMM), Nigeria | |
| Flightnumber: | 302 |
Flight RCN302 took off from Oostende (OST), Belgium at 03:28 with a cargo of 35 tons of electronics. Heading south over Chimay, Belgium while at FL240 the aircraft encountered turbulence. The no. 3 engine detached, forcing the crew to return to Oostende. A holding pattern was flown to burn up fuel. While holding the airplane also suffered hydraulical problems. Finally an emergency landing was carried out at Oostende at 05:44. The plane overshot runway 26 by 100 m and came to rest just next to the localizer antenna.
Probable Cause:
Laboratory analyses revealed the presence of a fatigue crack on the inner mid spar fitting of engine #3. The crack has been present for a reasonable time. The Airworthiness Directive 93-11-02 asks the replacement of the fittings by improved model at least for July 97. The fittings of engine #3 were from the old design.
Due to the non application of AD 93-11-02, the aircraft was in a non-airworthy condition.
Classification:
TurbulenceEngine separation
Forced landing on runway
Sources:
» ICAO Adrep» Report on the accident B707 - reg. 5N-VRG at Ostend Airport on 14th November 1998 / Ministerie van Verkeer en Infrastructuur
Photos
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
accident date: 14-11-1998
type: Boeing 707-355C
registration: 5N-VRG
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 Oostende Airport to Lagos-Murtala Muhammed International Airport as the crow flies is 4926 km (3079 miles).
Distance from Oostende Airport to Lagos-Murtala Muhammed International Airport as the crow flies is 4926 km (3079 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: 
Belgium
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