China Southern Airlines Flight 3456
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2009) |
 A China Southern airlines Boeing 737-300 similar to the accident aircraft | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 8, 1997 |
| Summary | Pilot error aggravated by severe weather |
| Site | Shenzhen, Guangdong, China |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 737-31B |
| Operator | China Southern Airlines |
| Registration | B-2925 |
| Flight origin | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Destination | Shenzhen Huangtian Airport |
| Passengers | 65 |
| Crew | 9 |
| Fatalities | 35 |
| Injuries | 9 |
| Survivors | 39 |
China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 (IATA:CZ3456) was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Chongqing to Shenzhen Huangtian Airport (now Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport), Guangdong, China. On May 8, 1997, the Boeing 737 performing this route crashed during the second attempt to land in a thunderstorm.[1] The flight number 3456 is still used by China Southern for the Chongqing-Shenzhen route but with Airbus A320 family aircraft.[2]
Background
Aircraft
- Model: Boeing 737-31B
- Registration: B-2925
- Serial Number: 27288
- Engine: 2 x CFM International CFM56-3C1 turbofan engine
The aircraft was delivered to China Southern on February 2, 1994, and had recorded over 8,457 hours before the crash. [1][3]
Flight crew
The captain of Flight 3456 was 36-year-old Yougui Lin (Chinese: 林友贵), at the time of the crash, he had logged 12,738 hours of total flying time, of which 9,084 hours as radio operator, 3,654 as pilot. The first officer, Dexin Kong (Chinese: 孔德新), 45, had 15,537 hours of total flying time, including 11,203 hours as flight engineer, 4,334 as pilot.[1]
Weather
The weather reported by Shenzhen Airport from 17:00 of 8 May to 02:00 of 9 May was: "170 degrees wind at 7 7 metres per second (14 kn) with rain, visibility 6,000 metres (20,000 ft), overcast at 1,500 metres (4,900 ft), variable winds at 15 metres per second (29 kn), thunderstorm may appear."
At 18:00, 8 May, severe weather warning was issued: "report to airports, air traffic controls and airline companies: Thunderstorm with strong winds will appear, all departments including the crew who will be taking off should be notified." At 21:33, the weather recorded was 290 degrees wind at 7 metres per second (14 kn), visibility 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), showers, low clouds at 210 metres (690 ft), cumulonimbus at 1,200 metres (3,900 ft), temperature at 23 ℃.[1]
Accident
On May 8, 1997, Flight 3456 took off from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 19:45 local time (UTC+8), expected to arrive Shenzhen Huangtian Airport at 20:30. At 20:07, the Shenzhen Airport approach controller cleared the flight to the approach of Runway 33. At 20:17, the Tower informed the crew "heavy rain on final, advise when spotting the runway". At 20:18:07, the crew stated they have established ILS approach. At 21:18:53, the crew advised ATC that they spotted the approach lightings, and the controller cleared the aircraft to land. The controller was able to see the landing light of the plane, but it was not clear due to the rain. At 21:19:33, the aircraft touched down on the south of the runway, bounced three times, damaged the aircraft's nose gear, hydraulic systems and flaps. The crew decided to go around.
The aircraft made a left turn while climbing up to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). The crew were asked to turn on the transponder to show the ATC their position, but the secondary surveillance radar did not receive any signal from the aircraft, indicated the transponder was off. At 21:23:57, the crew informed the ATC they are on the downwind side, and requested other aircraft to clear off the airspace for Flight 3456's landing. At 21:23:40, the crew declared an emergency and requested to clear the approach again. At the time, the main warning, hydraulic system warning and the gear warning were all triggered in the cockpit. At 21:24:58, the crew asked for a full emergency airfield support. The aircraft then turned around, reported will land towards the south, which was approved. At 21:28:30, the aircraft skidded off the runway, broke into three pieces and caught on fire, killing 33 passengers and 2 crew members.[1]
Crash site
The first landing attempt was toward north. Debris from the nose gear was found scattered near the southern end of the runway, indicating the left front tyre had exploded during the first touch down. Fallouts including rivets, metal sheets, rubber tube and retaining clip could also be found on the runway surface.
The second landing attempt was toward south. A clear surface scratch from the fuselage was found 427 metres (1,401 ft) from the runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated after rolling approximately 600 metres (2,000 ft) across the runway and burst into flames. The central part of the fuselage and the trailing edge of the right wing received the most severe burning damage. The front section of the fuselage was 12 metres (39 ft) long with nose pointing north, partially damaged, showing rolling and rotating trace but no signs of burning. A large amount of mire was filled in the deformed cockpit. The rear section was relatively intact, and was the only section not being destroyed.: 5.2 The left main gear and the right engine were scattered on the left side of the runway.[1]: 2
Cockpit voice recording
In June 2007, an audio recording reputed to be the last 12-minute record from the cockpit voice recorder of Flight 3456 was posted on the internet. According to an expert from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the recording is unlikely to be fake.[4]
Approach: Descend and maintain 1500 meters, China Southern 3456.
Co-pilot: Clear to descend and maintain 1500 meters.
Approach: There is a plane close to you ahead.
Approach: It is raining heavily for your airfield traffic pattern. Can you see the runway?
Approach: Oh,You can't see in the cloud, right, China Southern 3456?
Co-pilot: Affirmative.
[Auto pilot disengaged]
Co-pilot: 308.
Co-pilot: Contact Guangzhou Control 160.35
Co-pilot: Request to descend, China Southern 3456.
Co-pilot: Heading 135.
Co-pilot: I can see the bad weather on the runway.
Approach: China Southern 3456, descend and maintain 900 meter.
Captain: China Southern 3456 is establishing the ILS approach.
Co-pilot:China Southern 3456 is contacting Huangtian tower. 6855, bye.
Captain: Watch the altitude.
Captain: Watch the rain.
Tower: China Southern 3456.
Captain: Er...we are establishing the ILS approach now, China Southern 3456.
Co-pilot: About 330 degrees.
Co-pilot: Decision altitude 60m. Go around if fails (to land).
Captain: Okay.
Captain: I can't see (the runway).
Co-pilot: Alright. Throttles ready.
Captain: Throttles ready.
Co-pilot: 100, 138.
Captain: Approach lightings are in the front.
Captain: Don't look outside! The rain is heavy.
Co-pilot: Right.
Captain: China Southern 3456, we can see the approach light now.
Co-pilot:: Decision altitude. We are landing. Spotted the runway lights.
Captain: Keep the slope path.
Co-pilot: Mine (Glide Slope) indicates it is too low.
[Ground Proximity Warning System warning: Glide Slope!]
Co-pilot: Watch speed! Watch the speed!
Captain: It's alright to be a little bit higher.
Co-pilot: Turn left a little bit...
Captain: No, don't turn down the throttles...
[First bounce]
[Ground Proximity Warning System warning: TERRAIN! PULL UP!]
Captain: Go around! Throttle! Throttle up!
[Second bounce]
Captain: Throttle up! Go around!
[Third bounce]
Captain: Throttle up! Go around!
Co-pilot: Can't...
[Structural damage alarm from Electronic Flight Instrument System]
Captain: Flaps 15.
Co-pilot: 15.
Co-pilot: I can't feel any weight from the yoke!
Captain: What?
Engineer: The yoke lost control?
Co-pilot: It's climbing.
Captain: Gear up!
Captain: It fails.
Co-pilot: Failed to gear up?
Engineer: The speed is also low.
Co-pilot: *cough*
Captain: Don't, don't climb too fast. Take it down a little bit.
Co-pilot: All for nothing huh?
Engineer: Gears failed right?
Captain: Failed. Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry!
Engineer: The rain is too intense, can't see the ground.
Captain: Climb! Climb! Climb! Climb a little bit! A little bit!
Co-pilot: The warnings are all on.
Captain: It (the yoke) is so light. Clear the warnings.
Captain: Climb to 1200 first.
Co-pilot: Okay.
Co-pilot: The yoke is so light.
Engineer: The yoke lost control!
Captain: Don't climb so fast!
Captain: 3456 go around.
Approach: 3456 Huangtian.
Captain: 3456 go around.
Approach: You are 3456 right?
Captain: Louder!
Approach: Are you 3456?
Captain: This is 3456.
Co-pilot: We can turn around to land.
[Hydraulic system damage alarm from Electronic Flight Instrument System]
Approach: Can you turn on the transponder? I can't see you.
Co-pilot: How about turning around to land towards the opposite direction?
Captain: Negative. It is raining heavily. Climb to 1200 metres first.
Captain: Check my position, China Southern 3456.
Approach: You haven't turn on the transponder yet. please check it.
Captain I am checking.
Approach: You have any problems with your electricity?
Co-pilot: I pull (the yoke) to the bottom but it (the aircraft) just doesn't go up!
Captain: What?!
Captain: The electricity is fine.
Co-pilot: Left, turn left.
Captain: The weather is bad on the left side!
Co-pilot: There is no problem!
Approach: China Southern 3456, please report your position.
Captain: I just went past Shatian Road. Check my position using your radar.
Approach: I don't have you on my radar!
Co-pilot: We are now turning to the left into downwind.
Approach: Is it the position right now? I have planes on my final.
Co-pilot: So hard to maintain the position, I can't control the plane to go up!
Approach: What is your altitude right now?
Captain: Maintaining 1200.
Approach: Maintaining 1200?
Captain: Affirm.
Tower: 3456, Shenzhen Ground.
Captain: Yes, 3456?
Tower: Give me your position.
Captain: I am turning to downwind. Ask other plane to avoid me.
Captain: I can't do that. I have a plane 14 kilometers away from the airport at the altitude of 600m.
Co-pilot: Tell them we have an emergency! Tell them we have an emergency! We have an emergency!
Captain: We declare emergency! Clear them off!
Co-pilot: Huh, the brake still works.
Engineer: To 111.3.
Co-pilot: Which 111.3?
Engineer: ILS.
Tower: 3456, there are thunders from the south, pay attention to it.
Captain: Roger.
[Wind shear warning]
Captain: Don't descend, don't descend anymore.
Captain: Let other plane get away from me! i have an emergency, my plane is warning! Clear off other plane!
Tower: I have already clear off the airspace for you. Are you on the downwind side?
Captain: Affirm.
Tower: What is the DME?
Captain: DME now... DME is 6 nm.
Co-pilot: 111.3 right?
Engineer: Yes.
Co-pilot: If we turn around, the weather will be better and we can get down.
Captain: Isn't it raining heavily right now? Oh there is the runway.
Co-pilot: Do we need to choose another brake?
Engineer: Do we need one more circle (of hovering)?
Captain: 3456, clear off the other planes. I have an emergency.
Tower: I already cleared them.
Co-pilot: I think I lost control.
Co-pilot: Requesting firefighters and ambulances for landing.
Tower: Affirm, I notified them already. I also cleared all the planes. You can just land.
Captain: Alright. I will turn around again to land. Toward... toward the south.
Tower: Land toward the south?!
Captain: Give me my position?
Tower: 3456 what is your position? I don't see you! Where are you?
Captain: My altitude is 1200m, I am...
Co-pilot: Watch the posture of the plane.
Captain: Wait, I am turning left.
Captain: Stop descending! Don't descend!
Tower: Prepare to land toward the south. It's calm on the ground.
Captain: What is the wind?
Tower: The wind is calm.
Captain: Ahh, roger.
[The CVR got 2 seconds of damaged recording]
Captain: I beg the gears are not in good condition. Pay more attention.
Co-pilot: Okay.
[Flaps up]
Captain: You are now... Don't turn on this one!
Tower: There is no plane left. Both runways are clear.
Co-pilot: I don't know my position.
Captain: Use the navigation tower.
Co-pilot: Is that the runway?
Engineer: I see the runway.
Captain: You will watch the runway.
Co-pilot: I can see the runway!
Engineer: Saw it.
Co-pilot: We are landing.
Captain: Right.
Tower: 3456. Clear to land runway 15.
Captain: Roger, I spotted the runway, prepare to touch down.
Tower: And the landed plane reported the weather in the north is better than the south. It's raining heavily on final.
Captain: Roger, I am going to land.
Tower: What is your position now?
Captain: I am turning to final.
Purser: How is it going?
Captain: It seems not good. Prepare for the evacuation.
Purser: Alright, anything else?
Captain: No. Only one minute till landing.
Co-pilot: Watch the speed and the altitude.
Co-pilot: Pay more attention... Watch out...
Captain: Is it too high?
Co-pilot: It's the end of the runway!
Co-pilot: It's too high, lower the throttles.
[Ground Proximity Warning System warning: SINK RATE!]
Co-pilot: Pull it!
Captain: Pull it pull it!
[Ground Proximity Warning System warning: PULL UP!]
Co-pilot: Sink rate is too high!!
Captain: Pull it pull it pull it!! Pull it! Pull it!
Co-pilot: Sink rate is too high!!!!!
[Sound of impact]
[End of the recording]See also
References
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2009) |
- ^ a b c d e f "China Southern May 8th aircraft accident official report" (in Chinese). Retrieved 2016-05-30.
- ^ "China Southern Flight 3456 tracking". Flightaware. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
- ^ "Flight 3456 info on airdisaster.com". airdisaster.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 11 Jun 2016.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 24 May 2013 suggested (help) - ^ CAAC:It doesn't seem false. Archived March 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- Airliner accidents and incidents caused by weather
- Airliner accidents and incidents caused by pilot error
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 1997
- Aviation accidents and incidents in China
- 1997 disasters in China
- History of Guangdong
- Accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737
- China Southern Airlines accidents and incidents
- 1997 meteorology