The Crash That Killed Concorde: Air France Flight 4590
November 26th 2003, was a day that marked the end of an era. The supersonic jet, Concorde, which had been at the pinnacle of aviation innovation since the 1970s, ended its decades of service and closed down due to low passenger numbers and high maintenance fees. But is this really why Concorde shut down or is there much more to it? The crash of Air France Flight 4590 (a F-BTSC Concorde airliner) on 25 July 2000 may not have only resulted in the loss of all 113 lives on board but also dealt a devastating blow to the airline's reputation and ultimately led to the demise of the iconic supersonic jet, Concorde. So let's find out, what really happened…
Before delving into the events surrounding the crash, let’s go backwards to understand the history of Concorde. The supersonic jet was a joint project between British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and Aérospatiale (now Airbus), with development beginning in 1962. The Concorde project was created when British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and Aérospatiale (now Airbus) signed a joint agreement to develop a supersonic jet. The project was officially launched in 1965, with a budget of £1.5 billion (approximately £25 billion or $32 billion in today's currency). Concorde was designed to be a revolutionary aircraft that could travel at speeds over Mach 2 (1,354 mph), making it significantly faster than any commercial airliner at the time. After years of development, Concorde made its first flight on March 2, 1969. The aircraft underwent rigorous testing and certification, and the concept was initially met with scepticism, but as the years passed, the idea gained traction.
Concorde: The Supersonic Jet
An image of the manufacturing and construction of some of the first Concorde Airliners
The initial design was led by a team of British and French engineers, including Sir Stanley Hooker, who is often credited with being the "Father of Concorde." Hooker was a renowned British engineer who had previously worked on the development of Britain's first jet engine. The design process was complex and challenging, with numerous setbacks and delays. The team faced numerous technical hurdles, including developing high-strength materials that could withstand the extreme temperatures and stresses generated by supersonic flight. The Concorde's unique design featured a delta wing shape, which provided stability and control at high speeds. The aircraft also had a distinctive droop snoot nose, which housed the cockpit and allowed the pilots to see over the nose of the aircraft. The Concorde's engines were another major challenge. The aircraft required powerful engines that could produce 112,000 pounds of thrust each, while also being able to operate at high temperatures.
The solution was provided by Rolls-Royce, which developed the Olympus 593 engine, which became one of the most powerful engines ever built. After years of development, Concorde made its first flight on March 2, 1969. The initial flight was a test flight, with no passengers on board. The first commercial flight took place on January 21, 1976, when Air France and British Airways launched their Concorde services.
Concorde's operational history was marked by several notable achievements, including:
The fastest commercial flight: Concorde held the record for the fastest commercial flight, reaching speeds of over Mach 2.04 (1,354 mph).
Transatlantic flights: Concorde operated transatlantic flights between Europe and North America, with flights from Paris to New York taking around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Luxury amenities: Concorde was known for its luxurious amenities, including fine dining, personalized service, and comfortable seating.
Limited routes: Concorde operated on a limited number of routes due to noise restrictions and other factors.
Concorde was flying high and was gaining popularity at a very high rate, but this was all cut short by one incident…
The Crash: A Sequence of Events
The Horrifying Last Moments of Air France Flight 4590
Air France Flight 4590 was a routine flight from Paris to New York. However, disaster struck just minutes after takeoff. As the aircraft lifted off the runway, it became clear that something was amiss. The aircraft's right tyre burst upon takeoff due to a 17-inch titanium strip left on the runway by a Continental Airlines DC-10 that took off just before the Concorde. This caused damage to the fuel tank, which ultimately led to a catastrophic failure. The aircraft suffered a severe loss of power and control, leading to a spiral descent. The aircraft crashed into a hotel in Gonesse just outside Paris. The immediate aftermath of the crash was chaotic, with rescuers rushing to the scene to assist those on board. Unfortunately, there were no survivors among the passengers or crew. The French authorities launched an immediate investigation into the crash, led by the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile; or BEA.
The Investigation and Aftermath
The 17-inch titanium strip that caused the crash of Concord flight 4590. July 25, 2000
When Air France Flight 4590 crashed into the Hotelissimo hotel in Gonesse, officials rushed to the scene, but by then it was too late; all 109 passengers and 4 of the Hotel Employees were dead. The investigation into the crash of Air France Flight 4590 was one of the most comprehensive and complex in aviation history. The BEA worked closely with international authorities, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to piece together the events leading up to the disaster. The investigation revealed that the cause of the crash was not a single event but rather a series of mistakes and failures.
Five minutes before Concorde's departure, Continental Airlines Flight 55, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, took off from the same runway at Charles De Gaulle International Airport and lost a titanium alloy strip that was part of the engine fairing. At 4:42 p.m. (local time), Concorde encountered this debris on takeoff, sheared off the left back tyre (tyre number 2), and sent a large piece of tyre debris (4.5 kilograms or 9.9 pounds) under the tyre, with an estimated port speed of 140 m/s (313 mph). It didn't directly rupture any of the fuel tanks, but it sent a shock wave that ruptured the #5 fuel tank at its weakest point, just above the undercarriage. The fuel that leaked from the bottom of the wing was ignited either by an electrical arc in the undercarriage field (debris cuts the undercarriage cable) or by contact with hot engine parts.
The primary factor was the debris left on the runway by an earlier plane, which damaged the aircraft's tyre and subsequently caused fuel tank failure. Additionally, it was discovered that Air France had failed to implement adequate safety measures to prevent such incidents. The investigation into the crash of Air France Flight 4590 was one of the most comprehensive and complex in aviation history. The BEA worked closely with international authorities, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to piece together the events leading up to the disaster. The investigation revealed that the cause of the crash was not a single event but rather a series of mistakes and failures.
Additionally, it was discovered that Air France had failed to implement adequate safety measures to prevent such incidents. The investigation also highlighted concerns about Concorde's design and maintenance practices. The aircraft's unique design meant that it was prone to catastrophic failure in certain circumstances, and maintenance records showed that Concorde had been experiencing issues with its tyres and fuel tanks. The aftermath of the crash saw significant changes in aviation safety regulations and procedures. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) implemented new guidelines for airport maintenance and runway inspections, while airlines were forced to re-evaluate their safety protocols. The crash of Air France Flight 4590 marked the end of an era for Concorde. Despite efforts to repair and refurbish the remaining aircraft, British Airways and Air France announced in 2003 that it would be retiring its Concorde fleet due to rising maintenance costs and declining demand. However, the legacy of Concorde extends beyond its tragic demise. The supersonic jet played a significant role in advancing aviation technology and pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible. Concorde's development also spawned innovation in other areas, including materials science and aerodynamics.
Summary
In conclusion, the crash of Air France Flight 4590 was a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences for aviation safety and Concorde itself. The incident served as a wake-up call for airlines and regulators worldwide, highlighting the importance of prioritising safety above all else. This just proves how such small things (even a 17-inch titanium strip) can have a vast and limitless effect on everything.