Narrative:A McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 passenger plane sustained substantial damage in a hard landing accident at Puerto Ordaz Airport (PZO), Venezuela. No serious injuries were reported among the five crew members and 125 passengers.
The airplane operated on a domestic service, flight VH342, from Caracas-Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS). The captain performed the role of flight instructor for the copilot. A second copilot occupied the jump seat as an observer pilot.
Upon takeoff from Caracas at 08:00 hours local time, the nose rose quickly and the tail skid contacted the runway. The flight continued to Puerto Ordaz. On final approach the airspeed decreased to 123,8 knots, which was below the planned landing speed. The airplane descended quickly and touched down very hard, causing both engine mounts to break from the fuselage.
Probable Cause:
CAUSES (translated from Spanish):
The accident investigators, taking into account the characteristics of the accident and the evidence collected in the course of the investigation, considered the Human Factor as the reason for this accident, being able to demonstrate convincingly the following causes:
- There was a breach of the provisions in Chapter 4 (flight operations policies), paragraph 6 (sterile cabin) of the Operations Manual of the airline due to carrying out activities that were not related to the conduct of the flight.
- Lack of situational awareness of the Flight Instructor, the observer pilot and the first officer.
- The captain performed other duties, adding to the duties already being accomplished in his role as a flight instructor.
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | JIAAC Venezuela |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 year and 4 months | Accident number: | 047/2011 | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Heavy landing
Runway mishap
Sources:
» Ministry of Transport statement
» Avión de Aeropostal aterrizó de emergencia en Puerto Ordaz (El Nacional 26-9-2011)
Photos
accident date:
26-09-2011type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51
registration: OH-LYT
Video, social media
Aircraft history
09 JUL 1976 |
OH-LYT |
McDonnell Douglas |
first flight
|
04 OCT 1976 |
OH-LYT |
Finnair |
delivered
|
01 APR 1984 |
OH-LYT |
Alisarda |
leased
|
16 OCT 1984 |
OH-LYT |
Finnair |
returned
|
10 FEB 1993 |
OH-LYT |
Linea Aeropostal Venezolana (LAV) |
leased
|
08 JUN 1994 |
OH-LYT |
Finnair |
returned
|
16 NOV 2001 |
YV-14C |
Aeropostal |
bought
|
JAN 2006 |
YV136T |
Aeropostal |
new registration |
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 Caracas-Simón Bolívar International Airport to Puerto Ordaz Airport as the crow flies is 528 km (330 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.