Conclusions In TNT Cargo Near-Catastrophe

Tuesday 29th April 2008

A report has concluded that a catalogue of errors all contributed to the emergency landing of a TNT Airways Boeing 737 cargo plane in June 2006.

The Belgian TNT Boeing 737, flying from Liege in Belgium initially attempted to land at East Midlands Airport. However on final approach the report concludes that a badly timed air traffic control message contributed to the pilot becoming confused and dropping too much altitude on final approach. When the aircraft approached the runway the pilot failed to abort the landing in time with the aircraft landing on grass to the side of the runway. This impact broke off the right-hand landing gear, however the pilot decided that he would take-off again. The flight was direct to Birmingham Airport after the incident, and by the time it reached the airport the flaps were jammed, the right-hand landing gear were missing and one of the engines was damaged.

The report that has been completed by the AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Board) concluded that "Actions by individuals which contributed to the accident were either inappropriate or were not in compliance with existing procedures." The pilot for TNT Airways was sacked despite the report acknowledging that his air traffic control message was ill-timed. TNT have said that even though the pilot displayed skill in landing the aircraft after it was damaged, the incident was due to human error.