Arrow Air DC-10 drops engine parts departing Manaus, Brazil

From the aviation Herald...
http://avherald.com/h?article=4171239c&opt=0

( follow the link to see pictures )

Quote:

Accident: Arrow Cargo DC10 at Manaus on Mar 26th 2009, dropped parts of engine on houses
By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Mar 26th 2009 14:55Z, last updated Saturday, Mar 28th 2009 16:27Z

An Arrow Cargo McDonnell Douglas DC-10 freighter, registration N526MD performing flight JW-431 from Manaus,AM (Brazil) to Bogota (Colombia) with 4 crew, was climbing out from Manaus, when the center engine (#2) produced a loud bang, described as an explosion by residents. The crew shut the engine down but decided to carry on to Bogota but then diverted to Medellin, where the airplane landed safely.

In the meantime fire engines and emergency services were racing to a neighbourhood of Manaus (rua Humaita, Terra Nova), where parts of the engine had damaged 12 houses and a number of cars. Parts found so far include nacelle and engine parts, the largest part weighing around 250kg/550lbs.

Manaus Authorities reported, that the control tower of Manaus was notified of the debris on the ground and radioed the crew of the DC-10. The operation of the aircraft was not impaired, so that the crew continued to Colombia.

Arrow Cargo confirmed, that the airplane dropped parts of the engine. The airline will compensate for all damages incurred by the accident. The crew continued the flight to Bogota on two engines with the third engine shut down.

The provider for all air traffic control services in Brazil, the Forca Aerea Brasileira (FAB) reported, that the crew was contacted by Manaus control tower after a loud bang was heard by the controller. The crew reported no abnormalities. After the debris was established on the ground, the area control center Cindacta 4 (Manaus) queried the crew again, this time the crew reported problems with one engine but decided to continue the flight. The serious incident will be investigated by CENIPA, Brazil's Center for Research and Prevention of Accidents, collection of evidence has started. So far the diffuser of the exhaust pipe, the rear part of the exhaust pipe and several small internal components of the engine have been recovered on the ground.