Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Libreville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1998
Operator:
Registration:
F-GHLD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
BB-233
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Libreville-Léon M'Ba Airport, while in initial climb, the crew reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed onto several houses located in a district few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed but there were no casualties on the ground. Nevertheless, both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air near Nairobi: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1998
Registration:
5Y-JKB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nairobi - Mogadishu
MSN:
BB-72
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while flying in thick fog, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located about 50 km north of Nairobi. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air near Abidjan: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1998 at 1940 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-MSL
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Luanda - Lomé - Abidjan
MSN:
BB-815
YOM:
1981
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
1512
Captain / Total hours on type:
201.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a special flight from Luanda to Abidjan with an intermediate stop in Lomé, carrying seven UNO emissaries and one pilot. While descending to Abidjan-Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport, the pilot encountered very low visibility due to foggy conditions. On approach, the aircraft entered a left turn then an uncontrolled descent and crashed about 30 km from the airport. All eight occupants were killed, among them Alioune Blondin Béye, Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, aged 59.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the pilot lost control of the aircraft following a spatial disorientation while descending in very low visibility due to foggy conditions. At the time of the accident, wind was from 240 at 7 knots.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Banjul: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1997 at 0252 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-ERQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Las Palmas - Banjul
MSN:
BB-218
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Las Palmas, the crew started the descent to Banjul-Yundum Airport. The visibility was limited due to the night and poor weather conditions with low clouds and heavy rain falls from a tropical storm. On final approach, the aircraft crashed 4,300 metres short of runway 32. The wreckage was found 800 metres to the right of the extended centerline. A passenger was seriously injured while nine other occupants, among them German tourists, were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Dalton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1997 at 0611 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N74EJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Athens - Dalton
MSN:
BB-340
YOM:
1978
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2398
Captain / Total hours on type:
103.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6328
Circumstances:
The pilot was cleared for a localizer approach by Atlanta Center and told to maintain 5,000 feet until crossing the final approach fix (FAF). Normal altitude at the FAF was 2,700 feet. The pilot was unable to land from this approach and performed a missed approach. He was handed off to Chattanooga Approach, then was cleared to cross the FAF at 3,000 feet and perform another localizer approach. About one mile from the FAF, the pilot was told to change to the airport advisory frequency. The pilot acknowledged, then there was no further communication with the aircraft. A short time later, witnesses heard the aircraft crash near the approach end of the runway. Examination of the crash site showed the aircraft had touched down in a grass area about 1,100 feet from the end of the runway, while on the localizer. Propeller slash marks showed both engines were operating at approach power and the aircraft was at approach speed. No evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, systems, engines, or propellers was found. The 0621 weather was in part: 300 feet overcast and 1/2 mile visibility with fog. Minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the localizer approach was 1,180 feet msl; airport elevation was 710 feet. The pilot had flown 8 flight hours, was on duty for 13.6 hours the day before the accident, was off duty for about 6 hrs, and had about 4 hours of sleep before the accident flight.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper IFR procedure, by failing to maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA) during the ILS localizer approach, until the runway environment was in sight, which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, pilot fatigue, and improper scheduling by the aircraft operator.
Final Report: