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McDonnell Douglas MD-81

"Photo of an SAS MD-81"
Photo of an SAS MD-81

Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 751, OY-KHO

Gottröra, Sweden

December 27, 1991

On December 27, 1991, at approximately 8:51am local time, SAS Flight SK 751, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81, OY-KHO, crash landed in an open field shortly after takeoff from Stockholm/Arlanda airport, Sweden. The fuselage broke into three pieces on impact. All 129 people on board, including 123 passengers and a crew of six survived. One passenger sustained serious back injury. Flight SK 751 arrived at Stockholm/Arlanda at 10:10 pm the previous night and had been parked outdoors overnight. Prior to takeoff, the aircraft was de-iced.

The Swedish Board of Accident Investigation determined that the accident was caused by SAS's inadequate procedures addressing the removal of clear ice from the wings prior to takeoff. As a result, the aircraft took off with clear ice on the wings. During takeoff, the clear ice broke free during rotation and climbout and was ingested into the engines. This resulted in damage to the fan stages of both engines, leading to engine surging and destruction of both engines.

Last updated: Monday, December 19, 2022