- Manx2 Flight 7100
-
Flightline BCN / Manx2 7100 
Fairchild Metro EC-ITPAccident summary Date 10 February 2011 Type Under investigation Site Cork Airport, Ireland
51°50′29″N 008°29′28″W / 51.84139°N 8.49111°WCoordinates: 51°50′29″N 008°29′28″W / 51.84139°N 8.49111°WPassengers 10 Crew 2 Injuries 6 Fatalities 6 Survivors 6 Aircraft type Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner Operator Flightline BCN Tail number EC-ITP Flight origin George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast, Northern Ireland Destination Cork Airport, Cork, Republic of Ireland Manx2 Flight 7100 (NM7100) was a scheduled international passenger flight from Belfast, Northern Ireland to Cork, Republic of Ireland. On 10 February 2011, the Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner 3 operating the route crashed on its third attempted landing at Cork Airport, killing six of the twelve people on board. The flight was operated for Manx2 using an aircraft leased from Flightline BCN of Barcelona, Spain.[1] This aircraft had veered off a runway in Mallorca in 2004.[2]
This was Irish aviation's deadliest crash since Air India Flight 182. It led to the closure of the airport and the diversion of all flights.[3] Investigations are under way.
Contents
Aircraft and crew
The aircraft was a Fairchild Swearingen SA.227BC Metro III,[4] c/n BC-789B,[5] registration EC-ITP[6] owned by Flightline BCN, based in Barcelona, Spain.[7] It was 19 years old at the time of the accident.[5] On 21 May 2004, it was involved in an incident during take-off from Palma de Mallorca Airport when it left the runway and ground-looped. The aircraft suffered minor damage to the undercarriage and a propeller blade.[8] The aircraft had undergone a maintenance check in the week before the accident occurred.[9] The aircraft was wet leased from Flightline BCN.[10]
The captain was Jordi López, a Spaniard, and copilot Andrew Cantle, from England. The captain had more than 1,800 hours experience on the aircraft type and was employed by the Spanish airline Flightline BCN.[11] He was performing one of his first revenue-earning flights for Manx2, having recently been promoted from co-pilot.[12]
Accident
The aircraft flew from Belfast City Airport, Northern Ireland.[6] It departed at 08:12 GMT and was due to land at 09:45 GMT, in Cork, where the weather was foggy.[4][13][Note 1] An initial attempt to land on runway 17 was aborted, as was an attempt to land on runway 35. At approximately 09:47,[14][15] the right wing tip of the aircraft clipped the runway on its final landing attempt,[16] the aircraft overturned, skidded for 200 metres (220 yd) inverted,[17] departed the runway and caught fire.[18] Six people were killed,[19] including the pilot and co-pilot.[20][21] A witness inside the airport terminal building stated that the fog was so thick that the crashed aircraft could not be seen.[22] The injured were taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.[23] Four had serious injuries,[21] while two were walking wounded.[23] As a result of the accident, Cork Airport was closed until the evening of 11 February.[17]
Martin McGuinness, the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, revealed that he had intended to be on the flight, but had changed his travel plans. McGuinness was due to travel to Cork to campaign in the forthcoming Irish general election, scheduled for 25 February.[23]
Victims
The aircraft had a crew of two, and ten passengers. Both crew members and four of the passengers were killed.[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]
Nationality Crew Passengers Killed Injured 
United Kingdom1 5 4 2 
Irish– 5 1 4 
Spanish1 – 1 – Total 2 10 6 6 Investigation
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) opened an investigation into the accident.[15] The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered from the wreckage. Four personnel from the AAIU were on scene within 90 minutes of the accident. They completed their survey of the wreckage that day.[21] The AAIU is being assisted in the investigation by personnel from the Air Accident Investigation Branch in the United Kingdom and the Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission from Spain.[32] Flightline BCN are also assisting the AAIU.[10] Assistance is also being given by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board from the United States[17]
The wreckage of the aircraft was transported to the AAIU's examination facility at Gormanston, Co. Meath where investigators will reconstruct the aircraft as far as possible. By 14 February, five of the six survivors had been interviewed by the AAIU.[17]
The preliminary report, issued on 16 March, stated that the aircraft, being flown by the co-pilot, had deviated from the runway centre-line at final approach and the crew decided to do a third go-around 4 seconds before impact. The plane rolled to the left and to the right, and the right wing then impacted the runway. A cockpit alarm, which is believed to be the stall warning horn, sounded repeatedly in the seven seconds prior to impact. No deficiencies in the aircraft or the airfield infrastructure were identified. Investigation is continuing and the report did not include any findings.[14]
Aftermath
Due to the accident, Manx2 terminated their contract with Flightline BCN, who no longer provide any services for Manx2.[10] After the accident, Manx2 announced it would be ending its Belfast-City/Cork route on 13 March 2011.[33]
In April 2011, it was revealed that the European Aviation Safety Agency had initiated a procedure to suspend the Air Operator's Certificate of Flightline.[34]
On 4 May 2011, the BBC Radio 4 programme Face the Facts investigated the circumstances of the crash. It stated that the crew breached air safety regulations on all three approaches by descending below the decision height of 200 ft (61 m) before initiating a missed approach.[35] On 6 May, the Civil Aviation Authority in the United Kingdom issued a Safety Notice advising all operators within the United Kingdom of new rules regarding Non-Precision Approaches and Minimum Descent Altitudes, applicable from 16 July 2011.[36]
Notes
- ^ The METAR in force at the time of the accident was: EICK 101000Z 09008KT 0400 R17/0600N R35/0450N FG BKN001 05/05 Q1010 NOSIG.[13]
-
- Translation: METAR for Cork Airport, issued on the 10th of the month at 10:00 Zulu time. Wind from 090° at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). Visibility 400 metres (1,300 ft), Runway visual range for Runway 17 is 600 metres (2,000 ft) with no significant change, Runway visual range for Runway 35 is 450 metres (1,480 ft) with no significant change, fog, broken clouds at 100 feet (30 m) above ground level, temperature 5 °C, dew point 5 °C, QNH 1010 hPa, no significant change expected.
References
- ^ Cork plane crash: Two passengers emerge from air disaster unscathed Belfast Telegraph 11 February 2011.
- ^ Ill-fated Metroliner veered off runway in earlier safety scare Irish Independent 11 February 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Ireland plane crash in heavy fog kills 6: Crash occurred during 3rd attempt to land at Cork Airport".
- ^ a b "Plane crashes at Cork airport". The Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0210/breaking19.html. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ a b "EC-ITP Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20110210-0. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Six killed as Belfast plane crashes in Cork". BBC News. 10 February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12415541. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ Reals, Kerry. "Metroliner which crashed in Cork belongs to Flightline BCN". Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/02/10/353035/metroliner-which-crashed-in-cork-belongs-to-flightline.html. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ "21-05-2004. Informe Téchnico IN-026/2004" (in Spanish). Comisión de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil. http://www.fomento.es/mfom/lang_castellano/organos_colegiados/ciaiac/investigacion/2004/026_2004_eng.htm. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
- ^ Rutherford, Adrian. "Questions mount as cause of Cork crash is probed". Belfast Telegraph. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/questions-mount-as-cause-of-cork-crash-is-probed-15081586.html. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ^ a b c Gregory, John. "Flightline BCN no longer operating flights for Manx2 following crash". Isleofman Dot Com Ltd. http://www.isleofman.com/News/article.aspx?article=33369. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ http://www.examiner.ie/home/final-moments-145095.html
- ^ "Cork plane crash: Spaniard not used to being in charge of flight deck". Belfast Telegraph. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/cork-plane-crash-spaniard-not-used-to-being-in-charge-of-flight-deck-15081568.html#ixzz1DhUu52Na. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ^ a b Hradecky, Simon. "Accident: Flightline SW4 at Cork on Feb 10th 2011, failed landing in low visibility". Aviation Herald. http://avherald.com/h?article=4379bc53&opt=1. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Preliminary Accident Report". Air Accident Investigation Unit. http://www.aaiu.ie/upload/general/13067-PRELIMINARY_REPORT_2011_005-0.PDF. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Aircraft Crashes at Cork". Irish Aviation Authority. http://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=93&n=96&a=1007. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ Air crash probe to focus on pilot hours Irish Independent 12 February 2011.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d Murray, Niall. "Investigators to reconstruct remains of stricken aircraft". Irish Examiner. http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/investigators-to-reconstruct-remains-of-stricken-aircraft-145211.html. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ "Politicians express 'shock' at Cork crash". The Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0210/breaking24.html. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ "Belfast flight crashes at Cork airport". The Belfast Telegraph. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/belfast-plane-crashes-at-cork-airport-15079566.html?r=RSS. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ "First report on Cork crash expected next month." Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 February 2011. Retrieved on 11 February 2011.
- ^ a b c "Investigations into the Cork airport crash under way". BBC Online. 11 February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12427112. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
- ^ "LIVE – Belfast flight crashes at Cork Airport". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0210/cork.html. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ a b c "Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness was due to take flight that crashed in Cork killing six... but changed his plans at the last minute". Daily Mail (UK). 11 February 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1355515/Cork-airport-plane-crash-Martin-McGuinness-flight-killed-6.html. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ Aircraft crashes on third attempt to land in fog Irish Times 11 January 2011.
- ^ The Victims Irish Times 11 January 2011.
- ^ Pilot flew as captain on a few occasions Irish Times 12 January 2011.
- ^ Airline chairman says emergency service's swift action saved lives Irish Times 12 January 2011.
- ^ Father of crash survivor pays tribute to rescue crew that fought fire Irish Times 12 January 2011.
- ^ 'We thank all those who have offered kind thoughts' Irish Times 12 January 2011.
- ^ El aeropuerto de Cork cerrado mientras se investigan las causas de accidente La Voz de Galicia 2011-02-10. (in Spanish)
- ^ Crash plane 'checked last week' Irish Independent` 11 February 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Experts probe cause of plane crash". The Corkman. http://www.corkman.ie/breaking-news/national-news/experts-probe-cause-of-plane-crash-2535416.html. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
- ^ Manx2.com end BHD-ORK-BHD route.
- ^ Kaninski-Morrow, David (22 April 2011). "Operator of crashed Manx2 flight faced possible grounding". Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/22/355905/operator-of-crashed-manx2-flight-faced-possible-grounding.html. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 Programmes – Face The Facts". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010t6ym. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "Safety Notice SN-2011/03". Civil Aviation Authority. http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SafetyNotice201103.pdf. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
External links
← 2010 · Aviation accidents and incidents in 2011 - Jan 1 Kolavia Flight 348
- Jan 9 Iran Air Flight 277
- Jan 24 Domodedovo International Airport bombing
- Feb 10 Manx2 Flight 7100
- Feb 14 Central American Airways Flight 731
- Mar 5 Antonov An-148 in-flight break up
- Mar 21 Trans Air Congo Antonov An-12
- Apr 1 Southwest Airlines Flight 812
- Apr 4 United Nations Bombardier CRJ-100
- Apr 19 Tawang Town Mil Mi-17 crash
- May 7 Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 8968
- May 8 American Airlines Flight 1561
- May 19 Sol Líneas Aéreas Flight 5428
- Jun 20 RusAir Flight 9605
- Jul 4 Missinippi Airways Cessna 208
- Jul 6 Silk Way Airlines Ilyushin Il-76
- Jul 8 Hewa Bora Airways Flight 952
- Jul 11 Angara Airlines Flight 5007
- Jul 13 Noar Linhas Aéreas Flight 4896
- Jul 26 RMAF Lockheed C-130
- Jul 28 Asiana Airlines Flight 991
- Jul 30 Caribbean Airlines Flight 523
- Aug 6 Chinook helicopter shoot-down
- Aug 8 IrAero Flight 103
- Aug 9 Avis Amur Antonov An-12
- Aug 20 First Air Flight 6560
- Sep 2 FACh CASA C-212
- Sep 6 Aerocon Flight 238
- Sep 7 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash
- Sep 14 Angolan Air Force EMB 120
- Sep 16 Reno Air Races crash
- Sep 25 Buddha Air Flight 103
- Sep 29 Nusantara Buana CASA C-212 crash
- Oct 13 Airlines PNG Flight 1600
- Nov 1 LOT Polish Airlines Flight 16
Incidents resulting in at least 50 deaths shown in italics. Deadliest incident shown in bold smallcaps. Categories:- 2011 in the Republic of Ireland
- Aviation accidents and incidents in Ireland
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 2011
- Accidents and incidents involving the Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
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