Bombadier CRJ-100, 50 seat aircraft belonging to Rwandair at Kigali Airport Rwanda on 12th November 2009.
After takeoff the left engine thrust lever became stuck at t/o thrust lever position and pilots could not reduce thrust in that engine. The right engine controls were normal and a circuit was flown with the right engine at idle power and speedbrake partially extended.
After return and taxi to gate, the right engine was shut down, but the left engine remained operating at close to full power. After parking and just before disembarking of passengers had started the overheated brakes gave out and the aircraft rapidly accelerated into the departure lounge.
The female Copilot broke both legs and the Captain broke one leg. The ambulance taking the flight crew to hospital crashed en route killing the driver and two bystanders. The Captain's broken leg was further broken in this accident.
Authorities are investigating interference by the cowl strut with the thrust lever mechanism which apparently jammed. They are also investigating the crew handling of the initial failure and enquiring as to why the motor was "still running at full power" in the parking bay.
Both pilots were sacked soon after the accident.
The email came with an attachment showing the CRJ with it's nose in the departure lounge so however unlikely this story seems, it appears to be genuine!
ATB
DaveB
I suffer from paranoid amnesia. I can't remember who I don't trust.
