26 -
Report on aircraft accident published
The Government today (Tuesday) published the report of an investigation into an aircraft accident involving a China Airline's Boeing 747 which veered off the runway into the sea while landing at Kai Tak about two years ago.
The investigation was conducted by the Civil Aviation Department with assistance from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch of the United Kingdom's Department of Transport. The objective of the report is to identify the cause of the accident and prevent a recurrence.
The report contains an analysis of circumstances surrounding the accident, which occurred on November 4, 1993, together with conclusions and recommendations. All 296 people on board Flight CAL-605 were rescued but 10 of them sustained injuries.
In the conclusion of the report, the following causal factors were identified:
* The commander of the aircraft deviated from the normal landing roll procedure in that he inadvertently advanced the thrust levers when he should have selected reverse thrust.
* The commander diminished the co-pilot's ability to monitor rollout progress and proper autobrake operation by instructing him to perform a non-standard duty and by keeping him ill-informed about his own intentions.
* The co-pilot lacked the necessary skill and experience to control the aircraft
during the landing rollout in strong, gusty crosswind conditions.
* The absence of a clearly defined crosswind landing technique in China Airline's Operations Manual deprived the pilots of adequate guidance on operations in difficult weather conditions.
A total of 18 recommendations are made in the report concerning China Airlines, Boeing and the Kai Tak Airport. The recommendations are addressed to the regulatory authority of the State having responsibility for the matters concerned. It is for that authority to decide whether and what action is taken.
Copies of the report are for sale at the Government Publication Sales Centre, ground floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.
End