Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 off in Caballococha

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2012 at 1130 LT
Operator:
Registration:
FAP-317
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Iquitos - Caballococha
MSN:
324
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane landed hard in the Caballococha's Laguna. Upon landing on water, the right float was torn off, the aircraft overturned and sank. All 11 occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was performing a flight from Iquitos on behalf of the 42nd Group of the Peruvian Air Force.

Crash of a Pilatus U-28A near Djibouti City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 2012 at 1918 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
07-0736
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Djibouti City - Djibouti City
MSN:
0736
YOM:
2006
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2316
Captain / Total hours on type:
2213.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1245
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1245
Circumstances:
On 18 February 2012, at approximately 1918 local time (L), a United States Air Force U-28A aircraft, tail number 07-0736, crashed five nautical miles (NM) southwest of Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti. This aircraft was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL, and deployed to the 34th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The aircraft was destroyed and all four aircrew members died instantly upon impact. The mishap aircraft (MA) departed Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti at 1357L, to accomplish a combat mission in support of a Combined Joint Task Force. The MA proceeded to the area of responsibility (AOR), completed its mission in the AOR and returned back to Djiboutian airspace at 1852L arriving overhead the airfield at 1910L to begin a systems check. The MA proceeded south of the airfield at 10,000 feet (ft) Mean Sea Level (MSL) for 10 NM then turned to the North towards the airfield, accomplished a systems check and requested entry into the pattern at Ambouli International Airport. This request was denied due to other traffic, and the MA was directed to proceed to the west and descend by Air Traffic Control (ATC). The MA began a left descending turn to the west and was directed by ATC to report final. The mishap crew (MC) reported they were passing through 4,000 ft MSL and would report when established on final approach. The MA, continuing to descend, initiated a right turn then reversed the turn entering a left turn while continually and smoothly increasing bank angle until reaching 55 degrees prior to impact. Additionally, the MA continued to steadily increase the descent rate until reaching 11,752 ft per minute prior to impact. The MC received aural “Sink Rate” and “Pull Up” alerts with no apparent corrective action taken. The MA impacted the ground at approximately 1918L, 5 NM southwest of Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti.
Probable cause:
The MC never lost control of the aircraft; there are no indications of mechanical malfunction; and there are no indications the crew took any actions to control or arrest the descent rate and nose down attitude. The evidence demonstrates that the MC did not recognize the position of the aircraft and, as a result, failed to take appropriate corrective actions. The only plausible reason for the MC not recognizing the situation or reacting to aural alerts is the cognitive disconnect associated with spatial disorientation. The Board President found that the clear and convincing evidence indicated the cause of the mishap was unrecognized spatial disorientation. Additionally, the Board President found by a preponderance of the evidence that failing to crosscheck and ignoring the “Sink Rate” caution substantially contributed to the mishap.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec C-145A Skytruck in Walan Rabat

Date & Time: Dec 18, 2011 at 1502 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08-0319
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kandahar - Qalat - Walan Rabat - Qalat - Kandahar
MSN:
AJE003-19
YOM:
2009
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3546
Captain / Total hours on type:
434.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
982
Copilot / Total hours on type:
677
Aircraft flight hours:
1164
Aircraft flight cycles:
1273
Circumstances:
At 0939 hours Zulu time on 18 December 2011, an M-28, Tail Number 08-0319, departed Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan on a mission to pick up four passengers at Qalat, Afghanistan, transport them to Walan Rabat short takeoff and landing zone, transport two additional personnel from Walan Rabat back to Qalat, then return to Kandahar Air Base. The mishap aircraft and crew were assigned or attached to the 318th Special Operations Squadron, 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and were deployed to the 318th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. After an uneventful stop at Qalat to onload four passengers and their bags, the mishap crew flew a 20-minute leg to Walan Rabat. Surface winds at Walan Rabat were 190 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 17 knots, 30 degrees off a direct tailwind for runway 34. Because the landing zone has a three percent upslope for runway 34, and a 1,500-foot mountain exists 1½ miles to the north, the pilot elected to land with a tailwind on runway 34, the preferred landing direction. Walan Rabat Landing Zone is a 1,756-foot long, 31-foot wide, semi-prepared dirt strip with poorly defined boundaries. The landing zone was marked with AMP-3 markings, commonly called a “box-and-one” with colored panels. The mishap pilot consulted a wind component chart and incorrectly calculated the tailwind component, mistakenly believing it was within the allowable limit for landing the M-28. The pilot flew a shallow 2½-3 degree approach due to the upsloping landing zone. At approximately 1,000 feet short of the landing zone, the mishap pilot visually acquired the AMP-3 markings and landed the mishap aircraft at 1032 zulu. After a firmer than normal landing, the aircraft veered to the right and departed the prepared surface. The nose gear encountered uneven terrain and collapsed, causing the mishap aircraft to flip tail-over-nose. The mishap crew and passengers then egressed the aircraft through the copilot’s window. There were no serious injuries to crew or passengers. The mishap aircraft, which was valued at approximately $12,300,000 was destroyed. There were no civilian casualties.
Probable cause:
The AIB president found no clear and convincing evidence of the primary cause of the accident. He determined by a preponderance of evidence that the Landing Zone Condition, Cross-Monitoring Performance, Task/Mission-in-Progress Re-planning, Landing with an Excessive Tailwind, and Aircraft Engine Anomalies substantially contributed to the mishap, ultimately causing the mishap aircraft to veer off the prepared surface into rough terrain, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear and destruction of the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-32 in Jorhat

Date & Time: Dec 15, 2011
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K2721
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
06 06
YOM:
1985
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft suffered an accident upon landing at Jorhat-Rowriah Airport, Assam. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact circumstances of the mishap remain unknown.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Arua

Date & Time: Dec 12, 2011 at 1420 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Arua - Nzara
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was leased by the Uganda Peoples Defence Force Air Wing to carry a group of four Officer to Nzara, South Sudan. Shortly after takeoff from Arua Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain altitude, hit a tree and crashed in an open field located near the village of Mingoro, bursting into flames. All seven occupants evacuated with minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C in La Paz

Date & Time: Nov 30, 2011 at 1527 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-043
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Uyuni - La Paz
MSN:
UA-3
YOM:
1983
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Uyuni-La Joya Andina Airport on a flight to La Paz, carrying four passengers and three crew members. On approach to El Alto Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation. The captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. Upon touchdown, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest 6 km from the airport. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 at Al Anad AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 2011
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sanaa – Al Anad
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Sanaa Airport on a flight to Al Anad AFB (Kadamat Al Awdhali), carrying 11 passengers and four crew members, among them 8 Syrian engineers and 7 Yemen citizens. The aircraft crashed upon landing under unknown circumstances. Three Syrian and one Yemen citizen were killed.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-120ER Brasília in Huambo: 17 killed

Date & Time: Sep 14, 2011 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-500
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Huambo - Luanda
MSN:
120-359
YOM:
2002
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Huambo-Albano Machado Airport, the twine engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end, bursting into flames. All four crew and two passengers survived while 17 passengers were killed. There were 11 officers, three generals and six civilians on board. This Embraer Brasilia was the most recent built in service.

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 300DF off Robinson Crusoe Island: 21 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 2011 at 1748 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
966
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Santiago - Robinson Crusoe Island
MSN:
443
YOM:
1994
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Santiago de Chile-Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez (Pudahuel) Airport on a special flight to Robinson Crusoe Island, carrying 17 passengers and a crew of four. The flight was organized by NGO's in cooperation with the Chilean National Television to see the progress of the reconstruction on the island of Robinson Crusoe following the 2010 earthquake. Among the occupants were members of the National Television and also from the Council of Culture. The famous Chilean television icon Felipe Camiroaga Fernández was among the passengers. Following an almost 3-hour flight, the crew completed a low pass over the runway 14 then started the approach to runway 32 from the sea. At an altitude of about 650 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, rolled to the left to an angle of 90° and impacted the sea. Debris were found floating on water and the main wreckage was later found about one km southeast from the airport. All 21 occupants were killed.

Personnel from the Chilean Air Force:
Lt Carolina Fernández Quinteros,
Lt Juan Pablo Mallea Lagos,
1st Sgt Eduardo Jones San Martín,
1st Cpl Eduardo Estrada Muñoz,
2nd Cpl Flavio Oliva Pino,
2nd Cpl Erwin Núñez Rebolledo,
Cdt Rodrigo Fernández Apablaza,
José Cifuentes Juica.

Council of Culture:
Galia Diaz Riffo,
Romina Irarrázabal Faggiani.

Chilean National Television:
Felipe Camiroaga Fernández,
Roberto Bruce Pruzzo,
Sylvia Slier Munoz,
Caroline Gatica Aburto,
Rodrigo Cabezón de Amesti.

Members of the 'Desafío Levantemos Chile' NGO:
Felipe Cubillos Sigall,
Sebastián Correa Murillo,
Catalina Vela Montero,
Joel Lizama Nahuelhual,
Jorge Palma Calvo,
Joaquín Arnolds Reyes.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the loss of control of the airplane while performing the tailwind leg through the channel between the islands of Robinson Crusoe and Santa Clara to an estimated height of 650 feet or less, during the circuit approach to Runway 32 in a very low trajectory (with little height difference above the runway), where very adverse airflow conditions were found, including wind shear, which exposed the crew to extreme flight conditions.
Adverse airflow conditions were the results of a combination of different factors, including:
- Very unstable atmosphere, with strong turbulence and possibly eventually powerful down gusts arising from the presence of open cells after a front passed,
- The presence of the two counter-rotating vortexes in the Santa Clara Island downwind wake,
- The presence of strong and gusty crosswinds that were very variable in strength and direction in a very short time.

Crash of a Cessna C-98A Grand Caravan near Bom Jardim da Serra: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 2011 at 1327 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2735
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Porto Alegre - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
208B-2130
YOM:
2009
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Canoas AFB in Porto Alegre at 1145LT on a flight to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport, carrying six officers and two pilots on behalf of the 5th Air Transport Squadron. While cruising over the State of Santa Catarina, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions when the aircraft impacted a mountain near Bom Jardim da Serra. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 8 occupants were killed.