Following an incident at Manston Airport in Thanet, when an overweight cargo jet's tail struck the runway as it took off, Air Accident Investigators have published their report.

The incident involved a Kam Air Douglas DC-8-60 on a cargo flight from Manston to Buenos Aires with 3 crew and 9 passengers, which struck its tail onto Manston's runway 28 during takeoff on 11 August 2010.

The crew continued to Cape Verde Islands where evidence of the tail bumper contacting ground was discovered.

An inspection revealed some damage but had remained within limits, no further inspection was required, and the airplane continued the flight to Buenos Aires.

The United Kingdom's Air Accident Investigation Branch released their Bulletin reporting, that Kam Air had acquired two DC-8s from an operator in the United Arab Emirates. The flight from Manston to Buenos Aires was carrying 36 polo ponies. For the flight the aircraft was carrying two complete crews.

The Bulletin summary states: "During the takeoff the aircraft’s tail skid struck the end of Runway 28 at Manston, and also the soft ground beyond. An approach light for the reciprocal runway was destroyed by the aircraft’s main landing gear. Post-incident calculations showed that the aircraft weight was more than 25,000 lb above the maximum allowable takeoff weight for the prevailing conditions.

"The investigation highlighted a number of procedural failings by the flight crew, a lack of currency in line operations and a lack of operational oversight and control by the aircraft operator and the regulatory authority in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Four safety recommendations have been made."

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©