Cameroon Airlines Boeing 747-2H7B plane crash
Paris, France
Updated on
The Cameroon Airlines Boeing 747-200 landed on runway 09R at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in rainy conditions. After touchdown, the aircraft did not decelerate as expected and began to deviate to the right. It left the runway and came to rest on soft ground. All occupants were able to evacuate, although the aircraft was severely damaged.
Flight-data analysis showed that, at the beginning of deceleration, thrust on the left outboard engine had not been fully reduced. This had several consequences: the automatic braking system was deactivated and the No. 1 engine thrust reverser did not deploy. High thrust was then inadvertently selected on that engine while the aircraft was still travelling at significant speed, creating a major thrust asymmetry and leading to the lateral runway excursion.
Investigation findings
The BEA identified the incomplete reduction of thrust on the left outboard engine at the start of deceleration, followed by the inadvertent selection of high thrust on the same engine after landing, as the cause of the accident. The resulting thrust asymmetry led to loss of directional control. The investigation also considered that a lack of coordination and joint control by the crew, possibly aggravated by the presence of third parties in the cockpit, contributed to the development of the situation.