B737-200 at Hoedspruit , South Africa
Posted: 25 Mar 2012, 20:15
The ‘previously disadvantaged’ pilot of this B737-200 landed at Hoedspruit (ex airforce base) in the dark and proceeded to take the wrong taxiway. Having arrived at a dead end he then attempted to turn around by reversing (using reverse thrust). He misjudged and put the main gear off the concrete. It then rolled back down the bank. He then tried to climb out using full power. Of course with the engines that close to the ground they ingested grass, stones etc. If it wasn’t raining the jet blast would probably have set fire to the surrounding bush. The aircraft has been written off. The cost of the engines alone exceeds the insured value. No pax were on board at the time. He was not dismissed as he had not previously been given a warning in terms of the prevailing labour legislation. New promotion strategy
