Description

On 14 September 1999, a DASSAULT Falcon 900 was subjected to rapid and violent vertical load oscillations, which killed most of the passengers, after incorrect crew response to a minor pitch control malfunction. The incident occurred south of Bucharest, Romania.

Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister, who was standing at the time of the accident, was one of the passengers killed.

Synopsis

This is an extract from the Accident Report published by the Romanian Ministry of Transport Civil Aviation Inspectorate:

"The aircraft performed the flight OAL3838, from Athens to Bucharest as a government flight.

During climb after flap and slats were retracted, the flight crew noticed, on the warning panel, the "PITCH FEEL" light came on. The "PITCH FEEL" warning light, remained continuously ON, during cruise and descent until SLATS were extended.

During descent the Indicated Air Speed (IAS) increased from 240 kts to 332 kts.

Approaching FL150, the F/O had a request for a further descent.

Just before FL150 the ATC re-cleared OAL3838 to continue descent to FL50, while PIC briefed F/A about ETA. One second later, A/P disengaged and for the next 1 minute and 36 seconds the aircraft was manually flown by the PIC.

Between FL150 and FL140, for approximately 24 seconds, the aircraft experienced 10 oscillations in pitch axis which exceeded the limit manoeuvring load factor. Maximum recorded values of the vertical accelerations recorded by an accelerometer located in the landing gear bay were: +4.7 g and -3.26 g.