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Status Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date Thursday 20 January 2000
Time 06:55
Type Silhouette image of generic A320 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Airbus A320-231
Operator Airtours International
Registration G-VCED
MSN 193
Year of manufature 1991
Engines IAE V2500-A1
Crew Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Passengers Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 146
Total occupants Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 152
Aircraft damage Substantial, repaired
Aircraft fate rep
Location London-Gatwick Airport (LGW)   United Kingdom
Phase Take off
Nature Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure Airport London-Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK)
Destination Airport Almeria Airport (LEI/LEAM)
Narrative As the aircraft rotated for take off, both fan cowl doors detached from the no 1 engine and struck the aircraft. The doors were destroyed and localised damage resulted to the No 1 engine and its pylon, the left wing, the left flaps and slats, the fuselage and the fin. The evidence indicated that the doors had probably remained unlatched, after having been closed following maintenance prior to the accident flight and had been torn off their pylon attachment hinges by aerodynamic forces as the aircraft rotated.
At 08:09 hours, low visibility procedures came into force at Gatwick due to a reducing Runway Visual Range (RVR). The commander decided to divert the flight to London Stansted Airport. The aircraft landed at Stansted at 08:36 hours without further incident.

Three walk-round inspections had been conducted after the doors had been closed.

sources


ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Final report

Investigating agency: AAIB

Report nr: Ref: EW/C2000/1/2

Duration: 5 months

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