An ATR 42 with split flaps stalled during an unstabilized
night approach in icing conditions.
By Mark Lacagnina
Distracted by a flap anomaly, the flight crew of an Avions de Transport Régional ATR 42 freighter did not monitor their airspeed during a night instrument approach in icing conditions, and the airplane stalled and struck terrain short of the runway at Lubbock, Texas, U.S., said the final report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The airplane, registered to FedEx Corp. and operated by Empire Airlines, was substantially damaged, according to the report. The captain was seriously injured, and the first officer sustained minor injuries.
Factors contributing to the Jan. 27, 2009, accident were “the flight crew’s failure to follow published standard operating procedures in response to a flap anomaly; the captain’s decision to continue with the unstabilized approach; the fl…
