Narrative:
Continental Air Lines Flight 63 struck powerlines and two utility poles just after takeoff from runway 21 at the Tucson International Airport, Arizona. The aircraft was damaged substantially after striking the powerlines and utility poles, which were located about 130 feet to the left of the runway centerline and about 710 feet from the departure end of the runway. The aircraft was landed safely at the Tucson Airport; there were no injuries.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain's decision to take off under evident hazardous wind conditions which resulted in an encounter with severe wind shear and subsequent collision with obstacles in the takeoff path. The rate of climb of the aircraft in these conditions when flown according to prescribed operating procedures was not sufficient to clear the obstacles. However, if the aircraft's full aerodynamic capability had been used, collision with obstacles probably could have been avoided."
Collision with pole or wires
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 3 June 1977 |
| Time: | 12:58 |
| Type: |  Boeing 727-224 Advanced |
| Operator: | Continental Air Lines |
| Registration: | N32725 |
| MSN: | 20655/934 |
| First flight: | 1973 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12793 |
| Engines: | 3 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 84 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 91 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Tucson International Airport, AZ (TUS) ( United States of America)
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| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Tucson International Airport, AZ (TUS/KTUS), United States of America |
| Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ (PHX/KPHX), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | CO63 |
Continental Air Lines Flight 63 struck powerlines and two utility poles just after takeoff from runway 21 at the Tucson International Airport, Arizona. The aircraft was damaged substantially after striking the powerlines and utility poles, which were located about 130 feet to the left of the runway centerline and about 710 feet from the departure end of the runway. The aircraft was landed safely at the Tucson Airport; there were no injuries.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain's decision to take off under evident hazardous wind conditions which resulted in an encounter with severe wind shear and subsequent collision with obstacles in the takeoff path. The rate of climb of the aircraft in these conditions when flown according to prescribed operating procedures was not sufficient to clear the obstacles. However, if the aircraft's full aerodynamic capability had been used, collision with obstacles probably could have been avoided."
Accident investigation:
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Classification:
Windshear/downdraftCollision with pole or wires
Forced landing on runway
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 2 Safety Recommendations
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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 Tucson International Airport, AZ to Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 176 km (110 miles).
Distance from Tucson International Airport, AZ to Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ as the crow flies is 176 km (110 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.
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