Avro 748

After takeoff from Palaly Airport, while climbing, the left engine exploded. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return. On short final, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about 200 metres short of runway. All 45 occupants were killed, among them 40 soldiers and two civilians.

The aircraft, a Hawker Siddeley 748 Series 2A Model 234 (HS 748) owned and operated by Air Manitoba Ltd. (Air Manitoba), took off from Winnipeg at 1438 central standard time (CST) , 10 November 1993, on scheduled flight NAM 205/ 206 that included stops at Sandy Lake, Ontario; St. Theresa Point, Manitoba; Island Lake, Manitoba; and return to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The flight was conducted in accordance with an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan and flight notification. On arrival at Sandy Lake at approximately 1549, the crew attempted to land but were unable to because of the low ceiling and visibility. They then diverted to St. Theresa Point, landing at 1630. A normal turnaround was completed; the number of passengers on departure was 26, and 2,086 pounds of fuel was uploaded to an estimated total of 6,700 pounds on board. The flight departed St. Theresa Point for Sandy Lake at 1720. The aircraft landed at approximately 1745 at Sandy Lake, where 22 passengers deplaned while four remained on board; the aircraft was not refuelled or otherwise serviced at Sandy Lake. During the stop, both engines were shut down. On take-off from Sandy Lake, there were two pilots, a flight attendant, and four passengers on board. The aircraft took off from runway 29 at Sandy Lake at approximately 1805 and entered a right turn. Witnesses indicate that the aircraft appeared to fly at a lower than normal height throughout the turn. After turning through approximately 120 degrees(°), the aircraft descended into 100-foot trees and crashed. The aircraft struck the ground about one nautical mile (nm) northwest of the airport. All seven occupants of the aircraft were fatally injured in the crash. The accident occurred during the hours of darkness. The wreckage was located at position latitude 53°04'71"N, longitude 93°21'38"W, at an elevation of approximately 940 feet above sea level (asl).

On approach, the aircraft was too low and struck the ground short of runway. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft came to rest on its belly. All six occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was written off.

On short final to Surabaya-Juanda Airport, the right engine failed. The aircraft banked to the right and crashed in a swampy area located 800 metres short of runway. 16 occupants were killed while 28 others were injured.

During the takeoff roll at Rivière-au-Saumon Airport, the right engine caught fire and exploded. The crew abandoned the takeoff procedure and completed an emergency braking maneuver. All 35 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The crew departed Dar es Salaam Airport on a local training flight. En route, he encountered technical problems and was unable to raise the landing gear. The crew returned to the airport where repairs were completed. After takeoff, the crew reported he was unable to lower the landing gear and was then forced to attempt a belly landing. The aircraft came to rest on the runway and both pilots escaped uninjured.

Following an uneventful flight from Ujung Pandang (Makassar), the crew started the descent to Lombok Airport when he encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. The captain was cleared by ATC to divert to Mataram-Selaparang Airport when, in limited visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Rinjani located on north part of the island. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 19 occupants were killed.

Following an uneventful flight from Douala, the crew started the approach to Yaoundé-Nsimalen Airport by night and poor weather conditions. On final, due to poor visibility, the crew was unable to locate the runway and decided to initiate a go-around. During the next hour, the crew attempted four times to land, without success. Eventually, the captain elected to land in difficult conditions. On final, the aircraft was too high and landed too far down a wet runway, about 400 meters before the runway end. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and crashed in a ditch. Both pilots and a passenger were killed.

During night cargo operation, check captain (right seat) was evaluating the 1st officer (f/o, left seat) for possible upgrade to captain. Before departing, flight was cleared for right turn after takeoff to 020°. Takeoff began at 0441:11. Water/methanol injection was used (to 1st power reduction). At 0441:49, landing gear was retracted; 8 seconds later 1st power reduction was made, then a frequency change was approved. Captain noted they should climb to 1,500 feet msl (approximately 500 feet agl) before turning. At about 300 feet agl, aircraft entered overcast and began a steep right turn. CVR indicated captain was performing cockpit duties at this time and giving info to f/o about the departure. FDR showed aircraft reached max alt of 423 feet agl and began descending. At 0442:22, captain remarked to f/o, 'don't go down . . . Get up . . . Up up up . . . Up, oh!' At about that time, aircraft hit in an open field, but continued flying for approximately 3/4 mile. It then hit a tree and crashed in a wooded area. Investigation revealed that during several training flights and 2 check flights, the f/o demonstrated difficulty in performing instrument flight due to disorientation, narrow focus of attention, or lack of instrument scan (instrument fixation), especially during high task workload. Both pilots were killed.

For unknown reasons, the twin engine aircraft belly landed on runway 29 at Banjarmasin-Syamsudin Noor Airport. All 52 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.