Narrative:
Continental Air Lines Flight 426 crashed after takeoff from the Denver-Stapleton International Airport, Colorado. The aircraft climbed to about 100 feet above runway 35L and then crashed near the departure end of the runway. The 134 persons aboard the aircraft survived the crash; 15 persons were injured seriously. The aircraft was damaged substantially.
At the time of the accident, a thunderstorm with associated rainshowers was moving over the northern portion of the airport. The thunderstorm was surrounded by numerous other thunderstorms and associated rainshowers but none of these were in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The aircraft's encounter, immediately following take-off, with severe windshear at an altitude and airspeed which precluded recovery level flight; the windshear caused the aircraft to descend at a rate which could not be overcome even though the aircraft was flown at or near its maximum lift capability throughout the encounter. The windshear was generated by the outflow from a thunderstorm which was over the aircraft's departure path."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 7 August 1975 |
| Time: | 16:11 |
| Type: |  Boeing 727-224 |
| Operator: | Continental Air Lines |
| Registration: | N88777 |
| MSN: | 19798/608 |
| First flight: | 1968-07-16 (7 years ) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 23850 |
| Engines: | 3 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 127 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 134 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO (DEN) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America |
| Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS (ICT/KICT), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | CO426 |
Continental Air Lines Flight 426 crashed after takeoff from the Denver-Stapleton International Airport, Colorado. The aircraft climbed to about 100 feet above runway 35L and then crashed near the departure end of the runway. The 134 persons aboard the aircraft survived the crash; 15 persons were injured seriously. The aircraft was damaged substantially.
At the time of the accident, a thunderstorm with associated rainshowers was moving over the northern portion of the airport. The thunderstorm was surrounded by numerous other thunderstorms and associated rainshowers but none of these were in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The aircraft's encounter, immediately following take-off, with severe windshear at an altitude and airspeed which precluded recovery level flight; the windshear caused the aircraft to descend at a rate which could not be overcome even though the aircraft was flown at or near its maximum lift capability throughout the encounter. The windshear was generated by the outflow from a thunderstorm which was over the aircraft's departure path."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Windshear/downdraftLoss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Circular 132-AN/93 (261-271)Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 4 Safety Recommendations
Show all...
Show all...
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS as the crow flies is 683 km (427 miles).
Distance from Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS as the crow flies is 683 km (427 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
