China Airlines crash hearing told 'not enought time to abort landing'

Airline Industry Information, Nov 20, 2003

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

A hearing into the China Airlines crash in August 1999 has said that there was insufficient time for the aircraft to abort its landing.

During the hearing it was revealed by China Airlines expert witness Captain Owen Evers that there was only 1.5 seconds between the crash and the time the pilot knew there was a problem with his landing. Evers has said that at least four seconds were needed for the engines to make enough power to "go around" and attempt a second landing.

It was also heard that the aircraft's wind shear warning systems onboard and at the airport were not working at the time of the incident, which killed three people and injured more than 200, reported The Associated Press.

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