Date: 21 December 1992
Airline: Martinair
Flight No.: 495
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30
Location: Faro, Portugal
Fatalities: 56:340
Photographer: Unknown
Following one unsuccesful attempt to land, the crew was executing a VOR/DME
procedure approach to runway 11 when the aircraft flew through at least two microbursts spawned by a large thunderstorm, which was accompanied by heavy
rain and low cloud. Following a hard landing, the starboard main gear collapsed, with
fire erupting after the right wing fuel tank ignited. The DC-10 cracked in two and came
to a rest with the front section laying on its side. The cause of the accident was put
down to bad weather conditions and major errors on the part of the crew, who failed to
interpret the conditions of the runway and the conditions on final approach.
