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March 25, 1987 · Convair CV-580 · N73107

Dallas, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (11 uninjured)
Location
Dallas, TX
Aircraft
Convair CV-580
Tail Number
N73107
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87FA080

METRO FLIGHT AIRLINES CONVAIR CV-580 ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 35L AT THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT (DFW) WITH CROSSWINDS EXCEEDING DEMONSTRATED CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT VIOLATED COMPANY LIMITATIONS FOR CROSSWINDS IN THE CONVAIR CV-580. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE LEFT WING BECAME AIRBORNE AND RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO ALLOW THE LEFT PROPELLER ASSEMBLY TO CONTACT THE RUNWAY CAUSING SEPARATION OF TWO PROPELLER BLADES AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY ONTO SOFT TERRAIN CAUSING THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON A CONNECTING TAXIWAY.

Full Narrative

METRO FLIGHT AIRLINES CONVAIR CV-580 ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 35L AT THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT (DFW) WITH CROSSWINDS EXCEEDING DEMONSTRATED CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT VIOLATED COMPANY LIMITATIONS FOR CROSSWINDS IN THE CONVAIR CV-580. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE LEFT WING BECAME AIRBORNE AND RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO ALLOW THE LEFT PROPELLER ASSEMBLY TO CONTACT THE RUNWAY CAUSING SEPARATION OF TWO PROPELLER BLADES AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY ONTO SOFT TERRAIN CAUSING THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON A CONNECTING TAXIWAY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 CST
Nearest AirportDallas/Ft. Worth (0nm N)
Runway35L
Runway Length11388 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftConvair CV-580
Tail NumberN73107
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAllison · 501D13 · Turboprop · 4500
Seats50

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (11 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured11
Total11
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data