| American Airlines Flight 625 |
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| airliner crashes caused by pilot error | |
| aviation accidents and incidents in 1976 | |
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| aviation accidents and incidents in the united states virgin islands | |
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The Airport at St. Thomas was notorious among pilots for its short (4,658 feet) Runway . In fact the Boeing 727 was the heaviest aircraft type authorized to use it, and even then it was only authorized in one direction. Pilot error on the approach – for example the maximum Flap setting of 40 degrees was never applied – meant that the aircraft's speed was 10 knots higher than Vref as it crossed the runway threshold. This combined with the fact that the aircraft 'floated' from the turbulent winds in the area meant that it was already 2,300 feet down the runway at the point of touchdown. The pilots were not fast to act on the brakes and then decided to attempt to lift off again, but were unable to reach take-off speed because the 727's engines are slow-responding. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway and smashed into a Shell Gas Station , killing 37 of the 88 on board. As a result of the crash, American Airlines ended all jet flights to St. Thomas, flying instead to St. Croix (where the runway is much longer) from which passengers could fly to St. Thomas using Propeller -driven aircraft. Jet flights resumed when the runway was lengthened to 7,000 feet. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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