Crash of a Cessna U-27A Caravan I off Monrovia: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ARU-021
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monrovia - Cape Palmas
MSN:
208-0055
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Monrovia-Roberts, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea few hundred meters offshore. Two passengers were rescued while 16 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute in Independence: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1987 at 1228 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18061
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anniston - Fort Leavenworth
MSN:
LM-62
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4196
Captain / Total hours on type:
217.00
Circumstances:
The two aircraft, a Beech U-21A and a Piper PA-31-350, collided nearly head on at 7,000 feet msl over Independence, MO. In daylight VMC conditions with a visibility of 20 miles. The U-21 was in level cruise and the PA-31 was climbing eastbound to an undisclosed altitude enroute to Saint Louis. Both aircraft were equipped with operating mode-c transponders but the controller in contact with the U-21 did not observe the conflict and traffic advisories were not provided. The PA-31 was operating in accordance with visual flight rules. The U-21 was operating in accordance with instrument flight rules. After the collision both aircraft crashed in uncontrolled descent. There was no indication that either aircraft took any evasive action. The conflict alert subprogram of the ARTS III tracking system was not programmed to alert the controllers to the impending collision and the two controllers did not observe any target in the vicinity of the data block representing the U-21. All six occupants in both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the radar controllers to detect the conflict and to issue traffic advisories or a safety alert to the flightcrew of the U-21; deficiencies of the see and avoid concept as a primary means of collision avoidance; and the lack of automated redundancy in the air traffic control system to provide conflict detection between participating and nonparticipating aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Asmara: 54 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1987 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Asmara - Addis Ababa
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
49
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
54
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Asmara-Yohannes IV Airport, while climbing, an engine failed. The crew declared an emergency and initiated a circuit to return when the aircraft lost height and crashed in a huge explosion. All 54 occupants.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Britten Norman BN-2A Islander off Pilas Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cagayan de Sulu – Zamboanga
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route from Cagayan de Sulu to Zamboanga, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to ditch the aircraft when it crashed in the sea off Pilas Island. Three occupants were rescued while nine others were killed. The wreckage was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-16K-11 in Shalamcheh: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5018
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While cruising over Iran at an altitude of 40,000 feet, the heavy bomber was shot down by a 'Hawk' missile, dove into the ground and crashed near Shalamcheh. A crew member survived while five others were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by an Iranian missile.

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 100 off Bata: 22 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1987 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T.12B-32
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bata - Malabo
MSN:
65
YOM:
1976
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bata Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency and elected to return. Unfortunately, an emergency landing was not possible as another aircraft was blocking the runway according to ATC. While returning, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in the sea few hundred meters offshore. The wreckage was found in shallow water and all 22 occupants were killed. The right engine apparently failed during initial climb and was not functioning at impact.

Crash of a Casa 212-A7 Aviocar 100 in Nicaragua: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
222
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
80
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in the north part of Nicaragua. All 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air near Caravelí: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAP739
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
LD-261
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
In unknown circumstances, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Caravelí. The wreckage was found 13 January 1987. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 at Szentkirályszabadja: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
210
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Budapest – Szentkirályszabadja
MSN:
2210
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach by night to Szentkirályszabadja AFB, the aircraft crashed in a field and was destroyed by impact forces. Four crew members were killed while the fifth occupant was seriously injured. There were severe icing conditions at the time of the accident.