United Airlines Flight 585

WHERE:	Colorado Springs, CO (USA)
WHEN:	March 3 1991 9:43am

DETAILS:	The aircraft was cleared for a visual approach to Runway 35. The aircraft then suddenly rolled to the right and started to pitch nosedown. The crew tried to initiate a go-around by selecting 15-deg. flaps and an increase in thrust. The altitude decreased rapidly, acceleration increased to over 4G until the aircraft struck the ground of Widefield Park almost vertically.
PROBABLE CAUSE:	The National Transportation Safety Board, after an exhaustive investigation effort, could not identify conclusive evidence to explain the loss of United Airlines flight 585.

COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER TRANSCRIPT

9:41:30	CAPTAIN	Starting on down.
9:42:29	1st OFFICER	We had a ten knot change here.
9:42:31	CAPTAIN	Yeah, I know . . . awful lot of power to hold that airspeed.
9:43:01	1st OFFICER	Another ten knot gain.
9:43:03	CAPTAIN	Thirty [degree] flaps.
9:43:08	1st OFFICER	Wow.
		[A second later, engine power appears reduced.]
9:43:28.2	1st OFFICER	We're at a 1,000 feet.
9:43:32.6	1st OFFICER	Oh, God, flip . . .
9:43:33.5	CAPTAIN	Fifteen [degree] flaps.
9:43:34	1st OFFICER	Fifteen.
9:43:34.4	1st OFFICER	Oh
9:43:34.7	CAPTAIN	Oh! [exclaimed loudly]
9:43:35.5		[Click sound similar to moving the flap lever]
9:43:36.1		[Click sound similar to moving the flap lever]
9:43:36.5	CAPTAIN	No! [very loud]
9:43:37:4		[Click sound similar to moving the flap lever]
9:43:38.4	1st OFFICER	Oh my God...Oh my God! [followed by a scream]
9:43:40.5	CAPTAIN	Oh no **** [Spoken very loudly under extreme physical exertion]
9:43:41.5		[Impact]

Please fill out my Feedback form for any comments or suggestions. View Feedback I. View Feedback II.
I want to go Home.