The final accident report, as usual, makes fascinating - and sobering - reading. A topic was raised on this thread around 27 Nov 2004 and continued for ca. two weeks concerning the origin of the ground markings (scars) between the end of the runway and the berm, and beyond. Were they created by impact of the fuselage and/or the tires? Did the MK aircraft actually become airborne before reaching the berm? Interestingly, the TSB report states:
A scrape mark [made by contact of the aft fuselage with the ground] began 412 feet from the end of the runway...continued through the paved runway overrun area and across the grassy area...[and] disappeared at a point approximately 315 feet before the berm, indicating that the aircraft became airborne. The only indication of aircraft contact with the ground was the ground scar caused by the lower aft fuselage. There was no indication that the tires contacted the ground beyond the paved surface. Fuselage structure...was found embedded in the berm.
The report goes on to state that the only tire marks found in the area of the berm were on broken pieces of the ILS antenna that was fixed on the berm. "No similar marks were observed across the concrete pad on top of the berm, indicating that the tires were above the concrete pad as the aircraft passed over it".
Quite a few of us discussants have been proved way off the mark on these issues.
Excuse me while I finish this rather tired-looking morsel of crow...
Rockhound
