According to the Federal Office of Aircraft Accident Investigation, a severe storm in June nearly resulted in a plane crash. The pilots only managed to avoid the impact a few hundred meters above the ground.
Frankfurt Airport narrowly escaped catastrophe during the severe storm on June 20 this year. The pilots of a cargo plane briefly lost control of their Boeing 767 during takeoff, according to an interim report now published by the Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Board. Only at an altitude of 1,913 feet (583 meters) were they able to end the steep descent after a good ten seconds and regain altitude with the jet.
The portal “aero.de” reported it for the first time. According to the report, the crew of the South American company Latam, made up of three pilots, lost visual reference to the runway during the landing approach, at around 5:52 pm, and aborted the approach. Shortly thereafter, there was a warning of dangerous wind shear in the cabin, so the pilot could climb with maximum thrust. During this maneuver over Germany’s largest airport, there was apparently a loss of control and the very slow aircraft crashed abruptly.
“Serious disorder”
After the successful interception maneuver, the machine landed safely in Frankfurt 35 minutes later. The Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation is investigating the incident as a “serious disturbance,” although no one was injured. Other flights were diverted.
The aim is to collect as much information as possible about the crew, the machine and external influences, an authority spokesperson said. To this end, data from the aircraft, air traffic control and meteorological service are evaluated. Pilots as well as air traffic controllers would be heard. A detailed analysis of the reasons will only be presented in the final report. This report is not expected until next year.