Continental Airlines Flight 1404
Encyclopedia
Continental Airlines Flight 1404 was a Continental Airlines
flight from Denver International Airport
in Denver, Colorado
, United States
to George Bush Intercontinental Airport
in Houston, Texas
. On the evening of December 20, 2008, the flight crashed while taking off from Denver resulting in 2 critical injuries, 36 non-critical injuries and a hull loss of the Boeing 737-524
aircraft.
On Saturday, December 20, 2008 at approximately 18:18 (06:18PM) local time, after being cleared for takeoff
on runway
34R at Denver International Airport
, the Boeing 737-524
aircraft veered off the side of the runway before taxiway
WC (less than 4,000 feet from the threshold), skidded across the taxiway and a service road and crashed in a 40-foot-deep ravine
several hundred yard
s from the runway. The plane caught fire at some point during the sequence.
Despite early confusion as to the whereabouts of Flight 1404, firefighters were on scene relatively quickly, as the aircraft came to rest near one of the airport's four fire houses. When they arrived, most of the right side of the plane was on fire while passengers were climbing out of the left side, being assisted by flight attendants and one off duty Continental Airlines pilot in the passenger compartment, the latter who made several trips in and out of the wreckage to ensure everyone was safely out of the aircraft.
The aircraft sustained severe damage. The fuselage
was cracked just behind the wings, the number 1 engine and main landing gear
were sheared off, and the nose gear collapsed. The fire caused overhead luggage compartments to melt onto seats.
The crash is noted as the most serious incident in DIA's history. The aircraft was subsequently written off
.
The captain
was among the critically injured. He was hospitalized with serious back injuries and bone fracture
s.
es were recovered from the wreckage in usable condition.. The cockpit voice recorder
did not reveal any apparent problem until 41 seconds after the aircraft's brakes were released, just before takeoff. At that point a bumping or rattling sound can be heard, and the crew aborted the takeoff four seconds later. Both recorders stopped working six seconds after that (before the plane came to a stop). At one point during the sequence, the plane's speed reached 119 knots (137 mph).
When interviewed, the first officer told investigators that he was unaware of any problem until the plane was traveling between 87 and 90 knots (between 100 and 104 mph), when it moved away from the runway's centerline and made a "sudden left turn". He indicated that the captain, who was too badly injured to interview with officials when the investigation began, was flying at the time. Both the captain and first officer had clean safety records when the crash occurred and were experienced pilots.
Wheel marks left on the ground as well as initial reports from passengers and firefighters indicate that the plane was airborne, briefly. It is unclear at which point during the sequence the fire started. There was no snow or ice on the runway, however there were 31 knot (36 mph) crosswind
s at the time.
The flight crew that flew the aircraft to Denver prior to the incident flight was also on board, though not on duty, and reported having no difficulties with the plane during their previous flight. It suffered an engine failure and subsequent emergency landing
in 1995, following which both engines were replaced, but was otherwise undamaged in that incident.
Initial reports indicated that the plane could have suffered a landing gear
malfunction that might have resulted in a wheel lockup during the takeoff roll, leading to the runway excursion. NTSB officials said that when the takeoff began, the aircraft's engines appeared to be functioning properly, its tires were inflated, and the brake
s did not appear as if they had failed or otherwise malfunctioned, concluding that the landing gear did not cause any problems.
On July 17, 2009 it was announced that focus had shifted to a possible large gust of wind or a patch of ice. The pilot of the aircraft stated that: "My speculation is that we either got a big, nasty gust of wind or that, with the controls we had in, we hit some ice." The winds were reported at about 28 mph to 31 mph from the northwest with gusts up to nearly 37 mph just before the airliner began its takeoff roll northward down a north-south runway. The 737 has a crosswind limitation for takeoff of 38 mph on a dry runway.
According to an article published on July 18, 2009, in the Denver Post, Flight 1404 had been equipped with "winglets," curved, upswept structures added to the tips of wings, in November 2008. The article states that "Continental's B-737 flight manual 'limitations section' showed a crosswind limit of 33 knots for a dry runway...But NTSB added that the manufacturer and installer of winglets that were on the airplane had published 'a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 22 knots for winglet-equipped B-737-500s.'"
On July 13, 2010 the NTSB published that the probable cause of this accident was the captain's cessation of right rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the excursion, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain's training and experience.
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
flight from Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport , often referred to as DIA, is an airport in Denver, Colorado. By land size, at , it is the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montréal-Mirabel...
in Denver, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. On the evening of December 20, 2008, the flight crashed while taking off from Denver resulting in 2 critical injuries, 36 non-critical injuries and a hull loss of the Boeing 737-524
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
aircraft.
Incident
Takeoff
Takeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
on runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
34R at Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport , often referred to as DIA, is an airport in Denver, Colorado. By land size, at , it is the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montréal-Mirabel...
, the Boeing 737-524
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
aircraft veered off the side of the runway before taxiway
Taxiway
A taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangars, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass....
WC (less than 4,000 feet from the threshold), skidded across the taxiway and a service road and crashed in a 40-foot-deep ravine
Ravine
A ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of streamcutting erosion. Ravines are typically classified as larger in scale than gullies, although smaller than valleys. A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep sides, on the order of twenty to...
several hundred yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
s from the runway. The plane caught fire at some point during the sequence.
Despite early confusion as to the whereabouts of Flight 1404, firefighters were on scene relatively quickly, as the aircraft came to rest near one of the airport's four fire houses. When they arrived, most of the right side of the plane was on fire while passengers were climbing out of the left side, being assisted by flight attendants and one off duty Continental Airlines pilot in the passenger compartment, the latter who made several trips in and out of the wreckage to ensure everyone was safely out of the aircraft.
The aircraft sustained severe damage. The fuselage
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
was cracked just behind the wings, the number 1 engine and main landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
were sheared off, and the nose gear collapsed. The fire caused overhead luggage compartments to melt onto seats.
The crash is noted as the most serious incident in DIA's history. The aircraft was subsequently written off
Write-off
The term write-off describes a reduction in recognized value. In accounting terminology, it refers to recognition of the reduced or zero value of an asset. In income tax statements, it refers to a reduction of taxable income as recognition of certain expenses required to produce the income...
.
Injuries
Of the 110 passengers and 5 crew on board, some 38 sustained injuries including broken bones, though everyone on board survived. Two injuries were critical, though both passengers' conditions were upgraded that evening. By the following morning, fewer than seven people remained hospitalized.The captain
Pilot in command
The pilot in command of an aircraft is the person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the "captain" in a typical two- or three-pilot flight crew, or "pilot" if there is only one certified and qualified pilot at the controls of...
was among the critically injured. He was hospitalized with serious back injuries and bone fracture
Bone fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
s.
Investigation
The aircraft's black boxBlack box
A black box is a device, object, or system whose inner workings are unknown; only the input, transfer, and output are known characteristics.The term black box can also refer to:-In science and technology:*Black box theory, a philosophical theory...
es were recovered from the wreckage in usable condition.. The cockpit voice recorder
Cockpit voice recorder
A cockpit voice recorder , often referred to as a "black box", is a flight recorder used to record the audio environment in the flight deck of an aircraft for the purpose of investigation of accidents and incidents...
did not reveal any apparent problem until 41 seconds after the aircraft's brakes were released, just before takeoff. At that point a bumping or rattling sound can be heard, and the crew aborted the takeoff four seconds later. Both recorders stopped working six seconds after that (before the plane came to a stop). At one point during the sequence, the plane's speed reached 119 knots (137 mph).
When interviewed, the first officer told investigators that he was unaware of any problem until the plane was traveling between 87 and 90 knots (between 100 and 104 mph), when it moved away from the runway's centerline and made a "sudden left turn". He indicated that the captain, who was too badly injured to interview with officials when the investigation began, was flying at the time. Both the captain and first officer had clean safety records when the crash occurred and were experienced pilots.
Wheel marks left on the ground as well as initial reports from passengers and firefighters indicate that the plane was airborne, briefly. It is unclear at which point during the sequence the fire started. There was no snow or ice on the runway, however there were 31 knot (36 mph) crosswind
Crosswind
A crosswind is any wind that has a perpendicular component to the line or direction of travel. In aviation, a crosswind is the component of wind that is blowing across the runway making landings and take-offs more difficult than if the wind were blowing straight down the runway...
s at the time.
The flight crew that flew the aircraft to Denver prior to the incident flight was also on board, though not on duty, and reported having no difficulties with the plane during their previous flight. It suffered an engine failure and subsequent emergency landing
Emergency landing
An emergency landing is a landing made by an aircraft in response to a crisis which either interferes with the operation of the aircraft or involves sudden medical emergencies necessitating diversion to the nearest airport.-Types of emergency landings:...
in 1995, following which both engines were replaced, but was otherwise undamaged in that incident.
Initial reports indicated that the plane could have suffered a landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
malfunction that might have resulted in a wheel lockup during the takeoff roll, leading to the runway excursion. NTSB officials said that when the takeoff began, the aircraft's engines appeared to be functioning properly, its tires were inflated, and the brake
Brake
A brake is a mechanical device which inhibits motion. Its opposite component is a clutch. The rest of this article is dedicated to various types of vehicular brakes....
s did not appear as if they had failed or otherwise malfunctioned, concluding that the landing gear did not cause any problems.
On July 17, 2009 it was announced that focus had shifted to a possible large gust of wind or a patch of ice. The pilot of the aircraft stated that: "My speculation is that we either got a big, nasty gust of wind or that, with the controls we had in, we hit some ice." The winds were reported at about 28 mph to 31 mph from the northwest with gusts up to nearly 37 mph just before the airliner began its takeoff roll northward down a north-south runway. The 737 has a crosswind limitation for takeoff of 38 mph on a dry runway.
According to an article published on July 18, 2009, in the Denver Post, Flight 1404 had been equipped with "winglets," curved, upswept structures added to the tips of wings, in November 2008. The article states that "Continental's B-737 flight manual 'limitations section' showed a crosswind limit of 33 knots for a dry runway...But NTSB added that the manufacturer and installer of winglets that were on the airplane had published 'a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 22 knots for winglet-equipped B-737-500s.'"
On July 13, 2010 the NTSB published that the probable cause of this accident was the captain's cessation of right rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the excursion, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain's training and experience.
See also
- USAir Flight 5050USAir Flight 5050USAir Flight 5050 was an "extra section" passenger flight to replace the regularly scheduled but cancelled flight 1846, from New York's La Guardia Airport to Charlotte International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 20, 1989. Michael Martin was a new Boeing 737 captain, logging...
- Air France Flight 358Air France Flight 358Air France Flight 358, a flight from Paris, France, to Toronto, Canada, using an Airbus A340 airliner, departed Paris without incident at 11:53 UTC 2 August 2005, later touching down on runway 24L-06R at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 20:01 UTC...
- List of notable accidents and incidents on commercial aircraft
- Air safetyAir safetyAir safety is a term encompassing the theory, investigation and categorization of flight failures, and the prevention of such failures through regulation, education and training. It can also be applied in the context of campaigns that inform the public as to the safety of air travel.-United...