Canadair CL-604 Challenger crash, Jan 4, 2002 (5 killed)
Canadair CL-604 Challenger accident on January 4, 2002 near Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom with 5 fatalities. Cause: Aerodynamic stall and...
- Date: January 4, 2002
- Aircraft: Canadair CL-604 Challenger
- Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
- Fatalities: 5
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled left roll after takeoff, caused by frost contamination of the wings that reduced the stall angle of attack below the stall protection threshold, combined with the crew not ensuring the wings were clear of frost. Possible impairment of crew performance from a non-prescription drug, jet lag and fatigue was also cited.
A Canadair Challenger 604 operated by EPPS Air Service took off from Birmingham with frost still on its wings. Shortly after lift-off it rolled left, struck the runway edge and crashed inverted beside the runway, and it burned. All five occupants, including senior executives of the Massey-Ferguson group, were killed. The investigation focused on the crew not removing the frost and on the reduced stall protection that resulted.