On 05-06-2007, an MD83 (OE-LMM) flying from Lanzarote (ACE) in the Canary Islands to Barcelona (BCN) almost crashed as it could barely stay on the air right after take-off. The pilots mentioned some malfunction with the autothrottle and electrical components (engines at each side started to alternatively accelerate-decelerate), according to their "feel" of the situation.
The only official published information is the factual statement: "After having flown in from MAD to ACE, and after a 1h stay in ACE, during rolling on the ground to take off, crew observed acceleration problems. Just as rotation was completed, the airplane destabilized, producing pronounced rolls. The stall alarm went off. Crew barely took control of the plane, ascended to 5000', turned around and did a visual landing."
I always wondered what could've happened there. Since nobody was hurt, I guess we'll never know. Witnesses speak of the plane clearing obstacles in front "by inches" and buildings in front of the airport by meters. Some friends working at the airport speak of the pilots crying after they got out of the plane from being so close to crashing. Preliminary "buzz" was some sort of electrical malfunction on an assisted take-off.
How much does the MD82 usually rely on automatic controls during take-offs? Are the MD82 and MD83 very different on that regard?