Investigators raise tailwind take-off concerns after Aerosucre 727 antenna collision

Colombian investigators are recommending prohibition of an improved take-off climb procedure if tailwind conditions are likely, following the accident involving a departing Aerosucre Boeing 727-200 freighter at Bogota. The aircraft’s prolonged take-off run from runway 14L resulted in its striking the ILS localiser antenna, some 300m beyond the runway end, as well as a 6.4m pole located in a parking lot another 173m further on. It managed to climb away, despite sustaining wing and undercarriage damage, and subsequently returned to land on runway 14R.<br/>While the Colombian accident investigation authority DIACC has yet to reach conclusions on the 10 November occurrence, it has pointed out that the 727 can conduct an improved procedure to enhance take-off and climb performance at high-altitude airports. This involves setting maximum thrust and using higher speeds for rotation and initial climb, ensuring a wider safety margin, better stability and optimum lift-to-drag ratio. But the speed increase means the procedure also demands more runway length, especially if aircraft are operating at high weights, conducting a rolling take-off, or departing in hot-and-high conditions.<br/>