Investigators probing Saturday's Air Algérie Boeing 737-600 overrun in Seville, Spain are being pointed towards bad weather as a contributing factor by the airline's inquiry team.
Air Algérie says the cause of the incident is unclear, but notes that weather conditions at the time of landing at the Spanish airport were poor. “Our investigations with the Spanish authorities are ongoing,” it adds.
Images from the scene (below) show that the aircraft appeared to come to rest with its right wing and engine in contact with the ground, possibly indicating a main landing-gear collapse, but this has not been confirmed by Air Algérie. The aircraft suffered damage to its trailing edge during the incident.
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The jet (7T-VJQ) was operating as a charter service between Oran in Algeria and Seville. It was carrying 101 passengers, most of whom were returning home from visiting Algerian refugee camps.
The 737-600 involved was delivered new to Air Algérie in April 2002 and has no prior history of damage, According to Flight's fleet database, the AirCraft Analytical System (ACAS),
Reports say about 45 passengers were injured, although Air Algérie insists that no injuries were sustained. The airport was reportedly shut for several hours after the accident, requiring several other arriving aircraft to divert to other airports.
KERRY EZARD / LONDON
Source: Flight International
