Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Iquitos

Date & Time: Apr 7, 2008 at 1245 LT
Operator:
Registration:
FAP-320/OB-1165
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Iquitos - Iquitos
MSN:
720
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was completing a local training flight at Iquitos-Moronacocha Airport, carrying five pilots. On short final, the single engine airplane lost height, struck the ground and crashed near the runway threshold. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna F406 Caravan II in Mwanza: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 2008 at 1624 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5H-AWK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mwanza - Mwanza
MSN:
406-0030
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2900
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
The crew consisting of one instructor and one pilot under supervision departed Mwanza for a local training flight with approaches and touch-and-go manoeuvres. Shortly after takeoff from runway 12, while climbing to an altitude of 800 feet, the twin engine aircraft rolled to the right then entered a right turn and an uncontrolled descent before crashing on the top of a small hill located 890 metres from the runway 30 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed, a British instructor and an Australian citizen pilot under training.
Probable cause:
The crew was supposed to conduct several touch-and-go maneuvers and the instructor wanted to simulate an engine failure. Shortly after takeoff from runway 12, the aircraft rolled to the right while the right engine was turning at low RPM, presumably as a result of the instructor's decision to reduce the engine power. Due to a poor reaction by the pilot under supervision and an insufficient altitude to regain control, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed. The crew was supposed to initiate a left turn during initial climb, according to ATC instructions, but due to the power reduction on the right engine, the aircraft banked right then turned right and entered an uncontrolled descent. A wind from 090 gusting at 18 knots remained a contributing factor as it contributed to the aircraft rolling to the right.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Marathon

Date & Time: Jan 29, 2008 at 1723 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N21A
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marathon - Marathon
MSN:
B129
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Aircraft flight hours:
24456
Circumstances:
On January 29, 2008, about 1723 eastern standard time, a Grumman G-21A, amphibian airplane N21A, impacted the ocean during landing near Marathon, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot and passenger received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed from the Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH) in Marathon, Florida, on January 29, 2008, about 1615. According to the pilot he departed MTH and after take off and the checklist accomplished he proceeded in a westerly direction to inspect a water-work area. The pilot stated that other then that, he had no further recollection of the flight. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the passenger stated that the pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. During a water landing, the left wing contacted the water and the airplane water looped. A Good Samaritan rescued them from the water in his boat and brought them ashore where rescue personal were waiting. Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane or engine, and none were reported by the pilot or passenger.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a water landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90B King Air in Port Said: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 2008 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
SU-ZAA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cairo - Port Said
MSN:
LJ-1353
YOM:
1994
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Cairo-Intl Airport in the morning on a training flight to Port Said. Following four successful touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew completed a 5th circuit. On approach, the aircraft apparently caught fire (engine explosion?), lost height and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Moadamiyeh: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 2007
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Damascus - Damascus
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight in Damascus. Apparently, the pilots encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing in an olive grove when the aircraft crashed against a wall. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Grumman E-2C Hawkeye in the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 2007 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
163697
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A137
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The Hawkeye was based on the USS Harry S. Truman cruising in the Atlantic Ocean. Shortly after take off, the aircraft crashed into the sea, some 240 km off the Virginia coast. All three crew members were killed. The accident occurred under unknown circumstances by night.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Longmont

Date & Time: Jul 19, 2007 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9562Z
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hudson - Boulder
MSN:
AF-12
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15000
Copilot / Total flying hours:
20000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
13
Aircraft flight hours:
3925
Circumstances:
During the instructional flight, the instructor shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller. It was subsequently restarted, but the left engine started running rough and began to vibrate. The left engine was shut down and the propeller feathered. Level flight was maintained from power produced by the right engine. The left engine was then restarted but instead of producing thrust, the engine produced more drag so it was secured again. Then the right engine began losing power. Full power was applied but the airplane continued to descend. The instructor lowered the landing gear and while in-transit, the airplane clipped the tops of trees. He was able to guide the airplane between two houses and impacted an open field. The airplane bounced across the road, struck a power pole, and caught fire. The two pilots evacuated the airplane via the main cabin door. Examination at the airport of departure disclosed two pools of oil at the approximate positions of the two engines. There were two trails of oil leading from the parking spot down the taxiway and onto the runway. Both engines were partially disassembled and examined. There was evidence that both engines had failed catastrophically due to oil starvation. The left engine crankshaft was broken and all the piston heads were at the tops of their cylinders. Pieces of metal were recovered from the right engine oil sump. According to the operator, the engine rocker box recovery system must be drained during preflight to avoid hydraulic lock. The instructor stated that when they preflighted the airplane, the drain valves were open (the drained oil is captured and recycled). He thought they had closed both valves. According to the operator, either the pilot's failed to close the drain valves or they were jammed in the open position. The operator said the latter was unlikely "because you can feel it move when you close it."
Probable cause:
The instructor pilot's improper preflight in that he failed to close the rocker box recovery system drain valves, resulting in a total loss of lubricating oil and subsequent oil starvation to both engines. A contributing factor was the trees.
Final Report:

Crash of a Xian Yunsunji Y-7-100 near Hengshui: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 2006 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While flying at low altitude, the crew made a sharp turn to avoid high tension cables. The aircraft went out of control and crash landed in a field located in the village of Lishan, near Hengshui. Four people were injured while both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Learjet C-21A in Decatur

Date & Time: Oct 2, 2006 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
84-0066
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Decatur - Decatur
MSN:
35-512
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at Decatur Airport, consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. On final approach to runway 24, the instructor elected to simulate a failure of the right engine. Anticipating the touch-and-go procedure, the instructor deactivated the yaw damper system while the aircraft was about 10-20 feet above the runway. As the speed increased, the instructor called out 'speed' twice when the copilot reduced the power on the left engine. The aircraft rolled to the right, causing the right wingtip to struck the ground. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The crew’s failure to take appropriate action after allowing the aircraft to get 15 knots [17 mph] slow over the runway threshold. Had either pilot taken proper action to go around upon seeing the airspeed bleeding away by advancing power on both engines, this mishap could have been avoided.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A off Anchorage: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 2006 at 2037 LT
Registration:
N57096
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kenai - Anchorage
MSN:
690-11120
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4600
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9200
Aircraft flight hours:
11340
Circumstances:
The crew of the missing airplane was conducting a local area familiarization flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. At the time of the flight, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, with occasional moderate turbulence forecast for the area. The airplane was routinely contracted for animal and bird counts, and the flight was to include low level flight simulating such a mission. The three occupants of the airplane were the pilot, company check pilot, and another company pilot riding along as a passenger. Both the pilot and the check pilot held airline transport certificates, and were experienced in the make and model of the accident airplane. The airplane was equipped with a satellite position reporting device that updated position, groundspeed, and altitude every 2 minutes. Radar and GPS track information indicated the accident airplane was flying low and slow along a peninsula coast over a saltwater inlet, and turned toward the center of the inlet. The track stopped about 3 miles offshore. The data indicated that while flying along the inlet, the airplane descended to 112 feet above ground level (water), and climbed as high as 495 feet, which was the airplane's altitude at the last data point. The airplane's groundspeed varied between 97 and 111 knots. The area of the presumed crash site experiences extreme tides and strong currents, with reduced visibility due to a high glacial silt content. An extensive search was conducted, but the airplane and its occupants have not been located. An examination of the airplane's maintenance logs did not disclose any unresolved maintenance issues.
Probable cause:
Undetermined; the airplane and its occupants are missing.
Final Report: