Accident: Continental B735 at Denver on Dec 20th 2008, veered off departure runway and burst into flames
By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 21st 2008 06:18Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 21st 2008 07:21Z
A Continental Airlines Boeing 737-500, registration N18611 performing flight CO-1404 from Denver,CO to Houston,TX (USA) with 110 passengers and 5 crew on board, veered off Denver's runway 34R around 2000 feet (approx. 600 meters) into the takeoff run at 6:18pm local (Dec 21st 01:18Z), went down a ravine north of the west fire station and burst into flames. All people got out of the airplane using slides on both sides of the airplane, 38 of the 115 people on board received non-critical injuries ranging from broken bones to bruises.
The airplane received damages beyond repair, the gear ripped off, the right wing torn off and the fuselage broken. The airplane's right side caught fire, the fire extended into the interior of the fuselage and passenger cabin, overhead lockers melting onto the seats. Around 100 fire fighters were able to quickly contain and finally extinguish the fire despite a continuing fuel leak.
The west runways (34L/R) were closed, while the east runways (35L/R) continued to operate. Flights in and out of Denver are still delayed, airlines advise passengers to call ahead during Sunday to confirm the status of their flights.
Continental Airlines revised the initial figure of 107 passengers and 5 crew to 110 passengers and 5 crew in an updated press release.
Metars:
KDEN 210253Z 29018KT 10SM FEW040 BKN100 M05/M18 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP205 T10501178 51027
KDEN 210153Z 30018G28KT 10SM FEW040 SCT100 M05/M17 A3000 RMK AO2 PK WND 28036/0123 SLP202 T10501172
KDEN 210134Z 29024G32KT 10SM FEW040 SCT100 M04/M18 A2998 RMK AO2 PK WND 28036/0123
KDEN 210053Z 28011KT 10SM FEW040 SCT100 M06/M16 A2997 RMK AO2 PK WND 29027/0000 SLP202 T10561161
KDEN 202353Z 29016G19KT 10SM FEW040 SCT120 M05/M16 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 29028/2308 SLP183 T10501161 11028 21050 53021
KDEN 202253Z 30017G27KT 10SM FEW040 SCT120 SCT220 M04/M16 A2989 RMK AO2 PK WND 31027/2244 SLP160 T10441156
KDEN 202153Z 30022G28KT 10SM FEW040 SCT120 SCT220 M04/M16 A2987 RMK AO2 PK WND 31029/2118 SLP147 T10391161
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