Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The crew was completing a maritime patrol flight on behalf of the Finnish Border Guards (Rajavartiolaitos). While descending to Oulu Airport, both engines stopped simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft in the Liminga Bay, few km from the airport. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On approach to Karlstad Airport, the pilot informed ATC he was low on fuel. Shortly later, he declared an emergency when the both engines stopped. The aircraft lost height and eventually crashed in the Vänern Lake located 12,5 km from Karlstad Airport. Four passengers and the pilot were killed while three other passengers were rescued.

The Piper Navajo had not flown for about 9 months. During preparation for flight the pilot discovered that the battery was dead. The battery was removed for charging by the fixed base operator, the battery box was cleaned and painted. The operator advised that the battery was over 3 years old plus the 9 months of non use rendered the battery non reliable and recommended that it be replaced. The pilot choose not to change the battery. The pilot requested that the main tanks be topped. The pilot flew the airplane for a short time. The next day (day of the accident) the pilot, while preflighting the airplane, discovered that the battery was again dead so he requested an external power cart for starting. About an hour into the cross country flight the pilot stated that both engines quit while on the aux tanks. He stated that he had no electrical power for fuel boost pumps or starters. The airplane collided with electrical power lines during the emergency landing attempt in an alfalfa field.

Pilot was cleared for an ILS approach at his destination, and requested to report altitude of 3,000 feet on the approach. This was the last radio transmission received from the pilot. Aircraft was found in soft field six miles from the airport. Landing gear was up, flaps were down. Fisherman nearby reported hearing the aircraft maneuvering at low altitude. He reported that the engines sounded fine, but the sound was changing in pitch and intensity. He reported that got quiet just a few seconds before he heard the impact. The investigation revealed that there was evidence of a fire in the nose baggage compartment. The cabin heater is located in the nose baggage compartment, and had a recent history of discrepancies. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

En route from Mombasa to Kichwa Tembo, the pilot was informed that a DC-3 suffered a mishap upon landing at Musiara Airstrip and apparently decided to make a low pass to show the scene to the passengers. While approaching the airfield at an altitude of 250 feet, the aircraft collided with a white-backed vulture who went through the windshield and killed the pilot instantly. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.

The aircraft, which had not flown for over 2 years, had been worked-on during the past days and had to be ferried to Blackpool with two pilots on board. During the takeoff roll on runway 22, at a speed of about 60 knots, a loud report was heard and the outboard section of the right wing disintegrated. The crew abandoned the takeoff procedure and was able to stop the aircraft on the runway. They exited the cabin and were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Few minutes after takeoff from Robinson Crusoe Island, en route for the continent, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to ditch the aircraft about 13 km offshore. The crew of a fishing boat was able to rescue all four occupant while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to cruise altitude, the pilot reported the left engine cowl assembly had come off. Witnesses observed the airplane at low altitude and noted that it was 'yawing, sputtering, and rocking back and forth.' They indicated the left engine was not running and that the airplane banked sharply to the right and disappeared behind trees before crashing. An investigation revealed the left propeller had not been feathered. The left engine cowling was found 1.8 miles from the accident site. The three primary (eyebolt) cowl fasteners on the outboard side of the left upper cowl were found unlocked & seven other cowl attaching studs (screws) were missing. The cowling had been removed 16 days before the accident to install an oil/air separator. This was the first flight since that work was performed. The mechanic, who did the work, said he noted several cowl stud fasteners were missing and that he had notified the pilot. The pilot was reported to have replied that he had some fasteners and would take care of the problem. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Few minutes after takeoff from Georgetown-Timehri Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed 15 km south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.