Accident Summary

On August 12, 1985, the flight departed Tokyo bound for Osaka at about 1810 local time. At about 1824, at 24,000 feet and 300 knots, a bang, vibration, and cabin decompression was recorded on the cockpit voice recorder.

The captain was in the right seat and the copilot was in the left seat for training as captain. Forty-six seconds later, the captain signaled an emergency on the transponder and requested a return to Tokyo.

The aircraft descended to 22,000 feet and began 2-minute Phugoid (longitudinal) and Dutch roll (lateral) oscillatory motions. The flight crew was unable to control heading or pitch through normal flight control inputs. Steering and pitch attitude were accomplished with thrust changes.

The flight crew maintained 22,000 feet and 250 knots for about twenty minutes.

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