DHL Boeing 757-27APCF plane crash
San Jose, Costa Rica
Updated on
The Boeing 757-200 operated by DHL took off from San Jose, Costa Rica, for a cargo flight to Guatemala City, Guatemala. 2 crewmembers were onboard. The plane was climbing out of San Jose's airport when the crew stopped the climb at about 21,000 ft (6,300 m) due to a hydraulic failure. The Boeing 757 subsequently returned to San Jose’s airport. After touchdown the crew lost control of the aircraft and went off the runway. The aircraft broke in two parts. The crew exited the Boeing 757 uninjured.
45 minutes after departure, the aircraft returned for an approach to San Jose's airport. When the aircraft touchdown, the crew deployed the thrust reversers to reduce the speed. Only the right thrust reverser deployed, thus creating a force pushing the aircraft to the right. The crew were initially able to counteract this force thanks to the rudder. However, as the aircraft was slowing down, the aerodynamical effect of the rudder was reducing. The crew then applied differential braking (thus braking on the left main landing gear), but the left main landing gear wheels got stuck and skidded. The video shows this moment as smoke come out from the landing gear. The Boeing 757 then spun around, went off the runway, crossed an airport road and fell into a grass depression at the side of the road causing the aircraft to break up into two parts, both main gear struts collapsed.
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The Boeing 757 was 22 years old. He was fitted with two Pratt & Whitney PW2037 engines.
