Airborne Express

The airplane impacted mountainous terrain while on a post-modification functional evaluation flight (FEF). The pilot flying (PF) had applied inappropriate control column back pressure during the clean stall maneuver recovery attempt in an inadequate performance of the stall recovery procedure established in ABX's (Airborne Express) operations manual. The pilot not flying (PNF), in the right seat, was serving as the pilot-in-command and was conducting instruction in FEF procedures. The PNF failed to recognize, address and correct the PF's inappropriate control inputs. An inoperative stall warning system failed to reinforce to the flightcrew the indications that the airplane was in a full stall during the recovery attempt. The flightcrew's exposure to a low fidelity reproduction of the DC-8's stall characteristics in the ABX DC-8 flight training simulator was a factor in the PF holding aft (stall-inducing) control column inputs when the airplane began to pitch down and roll. The accident could have been prevented if ABX had institutionalized and the flightcrew had used the revised FEF flight stall recovery procedure agreed upon by ABX in 1991. The informality of the ABX FEF training program permitted the inappropriate pairing of two pilots for an FEF, neither of whom had handled the flight controls during an actual stall in the DC-8.

The crew departed Wilmington-Air park (Clinton County Airport) on a local training flight. On final approach to runway 22, the crew forgot to lower the undercarriage and the aircraft landed on its belly. It slid for few dozen yards and came to rest on the main runway. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

After landing, the aircraft was parked on the ramp for approximately 39 minutes to load cargo. During that time, light freezing drizzle was falling, intermittently mixed with ice pellets and snow. The crew checked the aircraft surfaces from the cockpit and entry door, but observed no ice or snow adhering to the tops of the wings, nose section, windshield or above the door. The captain declined an offer to de-ice, two other aircraft were being de-iced. The takeoff was normal (18° nose up attitude) until just after lift-off, then the aircraft entered an uncommanded left roll and both engines compressor stalled. The captain corrected with left aileron and rudder, then began aborting the takeoff. The aircraft touched down left of the runway on the tail skid and right wing tip, approximately 5,600 feet from the threshold and on a 070° heading. It then traveled another 2,025 feet in a sweeping right arc, hitting 2 runway signs and came to rest heading west with the right pylon bent down. Investigations revealed a thin layer of ice (est 0.15 inch thick) would have been on the wings, raising the aircraft's stall speed. When DC-9-15 aircraft stall, engines are susceptible to compressor stalls.

The crew was completing a night cargo flight from San Jose, California, to Atlanta with intermediate stop in Wilmington, Ohio. On approach, the airplane became unstable and rolled left and right. Despite the situation, the crew decided to continue the approach to runway 26 when the airplane landed hard. Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The airplane rolled for about 4,526 feet then veered off runway to the left and came to rest 250 feet further in a grassy area. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Upon landing at Saint Louis-Lambert Airport, the undercarriage collapsed. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.