Country
Crash of a BAe 146-300 in Yinchuan: 55 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 23, 1993 at 1441 LT
Operator:
Registration:
B-2716
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yinchuan - Beijing
MSN:
E3215
YOM:
1992
Flight number:
WH2119
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
108
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
55
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 36 at Yinchuan Airport, at Vr speed, the pilot-in-command pull up the control column to rotate but the aircraft failed to respond. Following a lack of crew coordination and inappropriate decisions, the crew failed to abort the takeoff procedure. After a long roll, the nose gear lifted off but the aircraft entered a high nose attitude, causing the tail to struck the runway surface. The aircraft then overran runway 36, collided with various obstacles and eventually crashed in a lake. 58 occupants were injured while 55 others were killed, among them one crew member. Weather conditions were good with OAT +27° C and an excellent visibility. Runway 36 is 2,160 metres long.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a wrong takeoff configuration on part of the crew. For unknown reasons, both leading edge and trailing edge flaps were not properly deployed for the takeoff procedure. Due to lack of coordination, the crew failed to proceed to cross checks prior to departure and failed to realize that the aircraft was not properly configured for takeoff. Nevertheless, it was not established if the flaps warning sounded or not prior to the accident.
Crash of a BAe 146-200A in Puerto Williams: 20 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 20, 1991 at 1524 LT
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CET
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Punta Arenas - Puerto Williams
MSN:
E2061
YOM:
1986
Flight number:
LA1069
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
66
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Punta Arenas, the crew was cleared for a VOR approach to runway 26. After the wind component changed, the crew decided to perform a straight-in approach to runway 08. The aircraft landed too far down the runway (427 meters past the runway threshold) and at a speed of 112 knots (Vref was 110 knots with a target touchdown speed of 103 knots). Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, plunged in the Beagle Canal and came to rest about 20 meters from the shore. 17 occupants were wounded and 35 other occupants escaped uninjured. 20 passengers were killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Poor approach planning and wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who landed too far down the runway (1,440 meters long). The following contributing factors were reported:
- Marginal weather conditions,
- Unfavorable wind component as the crew landed with a 6 knots tailwind,
- Wet runway surface and poor braking action.
- Marginal weather conditions,
- Unfavorable wind component as the crew landed with a 6 knots tailwind,
- Wet runway surface and poor braking action.
Crash of a BAe 146-200 near San Luis Obispo: 43 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 7, 1987 at 1616 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N350PS
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Los Angeles – San Francisco
MSN:
E2027
YOM:
1984
Flight number:
PS1771
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
43
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8571
Circumstances:
A recently discharged USAir employee boarded PSA flight 1771 after having left a goodbye message with friends. He bypassed security and carried aboard a borrowed 44 caliber pistol. A note written by this passenger, found in the wreckage, threatened his former supervisor at USAir, who was aboard the flight. At 1613, the pilot reported to Oakland ARTCC that he had an emergency and that gunshots had been fired in the airplane. Within 25 seconds, Oakland control controllers observed that PSA 1771 had begun a rapid descent from which it did not recover. Witnesses on the ground said the airplane was intact and there was no evidence of fire before the airplane struck the ground in a steep nose-down attitude. The cover tape revealed the sounds of a scuffle and several shots which were apparently fired in or near the cockpit. The pistol was found in the wreckage with 6 expended rounds. FAA rules permitted airline employees to bypass security checkpoints. All 43 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) security - inadequate - company/operator management
2. (f) procedure inadequate - company/operator management
3. (f) insuff standards/requirements, operation/operator - faa (organization)
4. (c) control interference - intentional - passenger
5. (c) sabotage - intentional - passenger
6. (c) emotional reaction - passenger
7. Incapacitation - pilot in command
8. Incapacitation - copilot/second pilot
9. Suicide - intentional - passenger
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Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) security - inadequate - company/operator management
2. (f) procedure inadequate - company/operator management
3. (f) insuff standards/requirements, operation/operator - faa (organization)
4. (c) control interference - intentional - passenger
5. (c) sabotage - intentional - passenger
6. (c) emotional reaction - passenger
7. Incapacitation - pilot in command
8. Incapacitation - copilot/second pilot
9. Suicide - intentional - passenger
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Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:
