Flight International, 19-25 June, p20, summarises conclusions from the USAF's Accident Investigation Board report of the 3 April 96 CT-43A accident at Dubrovnik.

• The flight took place in breach of orders. The airport's approach procedure had not been approved by the DoD. Court martials of commanders at 86th Airlift Wing (Ramstein) may follow.
• Flight planning is criticised because the crew `failed to appreciate' that the NDB approach `demanded the presence' of two ADFs, but the aircraft was fitted with only one (see my comments on this in the report I wrote on 29 April).
• The report says the crew rushed the approach, extended gear and flaps late, and were flying 80kt (150km/h) above final-approach speed some 9 degrees left of track.
• The report also blamed an `improperly designed' approach procedure (disputed by Croatian authories). The NTSB participated in the investigation and claims that if the approach had been designed with standard vertical obstacle clearance limits, the aircraft would not have hit the ground. [What is meant by `standard'?]

Back to top

Back to 'Incidents and Accidents'

Peter B. Ladkin, 1999-02-08
	Last modification on 1999-06-15 by Michael Blume