Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP near Sulaymānīyah: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 2006 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-IMRX
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Munich - Budapest - Baku - Sulaymānīyah
MSN:
501-0688
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a business flight from Baku to Sulaymānīyah with 5 passengers and one pilot on board. It departed Munich to Baku via Budapest on February 14. As it descended through the altitude of 8,000 feet, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens and crashed near Buschin, few dozen km from Sulaymānīyah Airport. The wreckage was found on February 19 in a snow covered and hilly terrain. All 6 occupants were killed, among them 4 German businessmen, one pilot and one translator. The aircraft was owned by the German Company Hasit Trockenmörtel, specialised in building reconstruction.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C-5 in Kiel

Date & Time: Feb 15, 2006 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-OVJR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moscow - Luton
MSN:
180
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
10413
Circumstances:
En route from Moscow-Domodedovo to Luton, while cruising over Germany, the crew declared an emergency following smoke spreading in the cabin and the cockpit. The crew was cleared to divert to Kiel-Holtenau Airport. After landing by night on runway 26 which is 1,265 metres long, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a ravine. All 6 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the flight attendant inadvertently set off a smoke canister intended for emergencies, causing smoke to spread in the the cabin. The crew was forced to divert to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The pilots failed to use the reverse thrust systems and the braking parachute after landing,
- Improper storage of emergency smoke canister in the cabin,
- Poor crew training related to the emergency equipment.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Tacoma: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2006 at 1344 LT
Registration:
N69KM
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Scottsdale - Tacoma
MSN:
421C-0440
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
400
Aircraft flight hours:
5363
Circumstances:
During a cross country flight, the pilot was informed by air traffic control that adverse weather was along his route of flight for terrain obscurement in clouds, precipitation, fog or mist. Turbulence was reported below 12,000 feet and occasional moderate rime or mixed icing was reported from the freezing level to 14,000 feet. Further along the route, the pilot reported to another controller that he was at 13,000 feet and descending. The controller inquired if the pilot was aware of the center weather advisory and the reports of severe rime ice in the direction that he was heading. The pilot acknowledged the controller by reporting that he was aware of the weather and that the aircraft was "equipped." The controller continued to inform the pilot of pilot reports from commercial aircraft flight crews of the reports of icing conditions, however, the pilot continued on his routing and again reported that the aircraft was "equipped." During the last transmissions from the pilot, he reported that he was "turning on (de-ice) equipment now." The controller recommended to the pilot to stay clear of the clouds. The pilot responded, "roger." The controller then asked the pilot if he was "going to orbit there for awhile." The pilot responded, "yes," followed by a partially unintelligible transmission of "getting some weather here." The pilot's last transmissions were "Ah, I'm in a little trouble," followed by "Ah, standby 9KM." Radar tracking indicated that the aircraft had been cruising at 16,500 feet before starting a gradual descent. The aircraft descended to 12,700 feet and it began a turn to the right. During this turn, the aircraft's altitude changed rapidly beginning with an increase, followed by a rapid loss of altitude from 8,000 feet per minute descent to 10,600 feet per minute descent before radar contact was lost. The aircraft was found 6 months later in an area of mountainous terrain. On site evidence indicated that the aircraft collided with trees and terrain in a nose low attitude with the majority of the wreckage contained in a large deep crater.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Icing conditions, clouds and the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather were factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 560 Citation V in Carlsbad: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2006 at 0640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N86CE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sun Valley - Carlsbad
MSN:
560-0265
YOM:
1994
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7500
Aircraft flight hours:
4720
Circumstances:
Air traffic control cleared the flightcrew for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 24, which was 4,897 feet long. The flightcrew then reported that they had the runway in sight, cancelled their instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and executed a visual flight rules (VFR) approach in VFR conditions to the airport. The reported winds favored a landing toward the east, onto the opposite runway (runway 6). During the approach, after a query from the first officer, the captain indicated to the first officer that he was going to "...land to the east," consistent with the reported winds. However, the final approach and subsequent landing were made to runway 24, which produced a six-knot tailwind. During the approach sequence the captain maintained an airspeed that was approximately 30 knots higher than the correct airspeed for the aircraft's weight, resulting in the aircraft touching down about 1,500 feet further down the runway than normal, and much faster than normal. The captain then delayed the initiation of a go-around until the first officer asked if they were going around. Although the aircraft lifted off the runway surface prior to departing the paved overrun during the delayed go-around it impacted a localizer antenna platform, whose highest non-frangible structure was located approximately 304 feet past the end of the runway, and approximately two feet lower than the terrain at the departure end of the runway. The aircraft continued airborne as it flew over downsloping terrain for about 400 more feet before colliding with the terrain and a commercial storage building that was located at an elevation approximately 80 feet lower than the terrain at the end of the runway. The localizer antenna platform was located outside of the designated runway safety area, and met all applicable FAA siting requirements. The captain had type 2 diabetes, for which he took oral medication and monitored blood sugar levels. He did not reveal his history of diabetes to the FAA. The captain's post-accident toxicology testing was consistent with an elevated average blood sugar level over the previous several months; however, no medical records of the captain's treatment were available, and the investigation could not determine if the captain's diabetes or treatment were potentially factors in the accident. The captain of the accident flight was the sole owner of a corporation that was asked by the two owners of the accident airplane to manage the airplane for them under a Part 91 business flight operation. The two owners were not pilots and had no professional aviation experience, but they desired to be flown to major domestic airports so that they could transfer and travel internationally via commercial airlines. One of the two owners stated that the purpose of the accident flight was to fly a businessman to a meeting, and to also transport one of the owner's wives to visit family at the same destination. According to one of the owners, the businessman was interested in being a third owner in the accident airplane, so the owner permitted the businessman to fly. The owner also stated that the accident pilot told him that the passenger would pay for expenses directly related to the operation of the airplane for the flight (permitted under FAA Part 91 rules), and an "hourly fee" (prohibited under FAA Part 91 rules); however, no documentation was found to corroborate this statement for the accident flight or previous flights.
Probable cause:
The captain's delayed decision to execute a balked landing (go-around) during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident include the captain's improper decision to land with a tailwind, his excessive airspeed on final approach, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point during landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Fort Payne

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2005 at 0816 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4200N
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Payne – Gulfport
MSN:
31P-7530006
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1486
Captain / Total hours on type:
79.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4022
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff, about 20 feet above the ground, the pilot noticed a drop in the right engine manifold pressure. As the airplane began a right roll, efforts by the pilot to arrest the roll failed. When the pilot decided to put the airplane back on the ground, the right wing collided with the ground, the airplane cart wheeled and came to rest on its belly and burst into flames. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the aircraft located approximately 200 feet on the northwest side of the runway 22 centerline. The left fuel tank was ruptured and the left side of the airplane was fire damaged. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The loss of engine power due to the failure of the aft clamp connecting the turbocharger compressor outlet to the intercooler ducting which resulted in reduced aircraft performance during takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-2 Skyservant in El Callao

Date & Time: Jun 15, 2005 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
YV-664CP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Puerto Ordaz – El Callao
MSN:
4084
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching El Callao following an uneventful flight from Puerto Ordaz, the pilot encountered technical problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed near Caserio San Juan and came to rest, bursting into flames. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Swearingen SA26AT Merlin IIB in Lawrenceville

Date & Time: Apr 26, 2005 at 1826 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N50KV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Spartanburg – Lawrenceville
MSN:
T26-115
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9415
Circumstances:
While executing an instrument approach to land on runway 25, the airplane collided with the runway, and collapsed the right main landing gear. The airplane subsequently burst into flames after the pilot and passenger exited the airplane. Post-accident examination of the engines found both the left and right engine fuel controls in a low power setting. Examination of the propeller control found both propellers at 30-degrees. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical problems during flight.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 560 Citation V in Pueblo: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 2005 at 0913 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N500AT
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Richmond – Columbia – Pueblo – Santa Ana
MSN:
560-0146
YOM:
1991
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
8577
Captain / Total hours on type:
2735.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2614
Copilot / Total hours on type:
334
Aircraft flight hours:
3657
Circumstances:
On February 16, 2005, about 0913 mountain standard time, a Cessna Citation 560, N500AT, operated by Martinair, Inc., for Circuit City Stores, Inc., crashed about 4 nautical miles east of Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo, Colorado, while on an instrument landing system approach to runway 26R. The two pilots and six passengers on board were killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's failure to effectively monitor and maintain airspeed and comply with procedures for deice boot activation on the approach, which caused an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to establish adequate certification requirements for flight into icing conditions, which led to the inadequate stall warning margin provided by the airplane's stall warning system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Gulfstream GII in Logan

Date & Time: Jan 19, 2005 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N74RQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kansas City – Logan
MSN:
113
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5320
Captain / Total hours on type:
1253.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3000
Aircraft flight hours:
12011
Circumstances:
The captain stated they had flown the GPS approach to runway 35. When they did not see the runway or runway environment they initiated a missed approach. During the missed approach, they were able to see the first 4 to 5 thousand feet on the approach end of runway 17. They "elected to circle to the north west to set up for a visual approach to runway 17." The captain stated that the approach was "slightly high and as a result, the flare was a bit higher than normal." The airplane entered the fog layer just prior to touchdown. The captain stated that during the landing flare the airplane had drifted to the left and "the aircraft settled onto the runway to the left of centerline and shortly thereafter the left main gear impacted a snow berm." The airplane turned hard to the left and departed the runway. The nose gear separated, the radome was crushed and the cockpit pressure bulkhead was broken open. The routine aviation weather report (METAR) at LGU reported the weather as follows: wind, calm; visibility, 1/4 statute mile in freezing fog; sky condition, vertical visibility 100 feet agl; temperature, minus 7 degrees Celsius (C), dewpoint, minus 7 degrees C; altimeter, 30.45 inches.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper IFR operation by which he failed to comply to the missed approach procedure, and his improper evaluation of the weather resulting in an encounter with fog and his loss of visual contact with the runway during the landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Monterrey: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 2004 at 1230 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XB-GSG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Monterrey – McAllen – Houston
MSN:
685-12058
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On December 14, 2004 at 1230 central standard time, an Aero Commander AC-685 twin-engine airplane, Mexican registration XB-GSG, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Apodaca, State of Nuevo Leon, in the Republic of Mexico. The two commercial pilots and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane, serial number 12058, was registered to a private individual. The flight originated from the Monterrey Del Norte Airport, near Monterrey, State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, approximately 1225 and was en route to the McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE), near McAllen, Texas, with Houston, Texas, as its final destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight for which an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. According to local authorities the airplane was attempting to return to the airport when the accident occurred. The wreckage of the airplane was located on the 350-degree radial from the Monterrey VOR (ADN), for 2.3 nautical miles. A post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft. A post-impact fire consumed the aircraft.