Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Maracaibo

Date & Time: Apr 25, 2015 at 1710 LT
Registration:
YV2803
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Caracas – Maracaibo
MSN:
BB-506
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the twin engine aircraft landed hard. Impact caused the tail to separate. The aircraft lost its undercarriage then slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed. It seems the aircraft suffered an engine failure shortly before landing.

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air in Wichita: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 2014 at 0948 LT
Registration:
N52SZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wichita – Mena
MSN:
BB-1686
YOM:
1999
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3139
Aircraft flight hours:
6314
Aircraft flight cycles:
7257
Circumstances:
The airline transport pilot was departing for a repositioning flight. During the initial climb, the pilot declared an emergency and stated that the airplane "lost the left engine." The airplane climbed to about 120 ft above ground level, and witnesses reported seeing it in a left turn with the landing gear extended. The airplane continued turning left and descended into a building on the airfield. A postimpact fired ensued and consumed a majority of the airplane. Postaccident examinations of the airplane, engines, and propellers did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Neither propeller was feathered before impact. Both engines exhibited multiple internal damage signatures consistent with engine operation at impact. Engine performance calculations using the preimpact propeller blade angles (derived from witness marks on the preload plates) and sound spectrum analysis revealed that the left engine was likely producing low to moderate power and that the right engine was likely producing moderate to high power when the airplane struck the building. A sudden, uncommanded engine power loss without flameout can result from a fuel control unit failure or a loose compressor discharge pressure (P3) line; thermal damage prevented a full assessment of the fuel control units and P3 lines. Although the left engine was producing some power at the time of the accident, the investigation could not rule out the possibility that a sudden left engine power loss, consistent with the pilot's report, occurred. A sideslip thrust and rudder study determined that, during the last second of the flight, the airplane had a nose-left sideslip angle of 29°. It is likely that the pilot applied substantial left rudder input at the end of the flight. Because the airplane's rudder boost system was destroyed, the investigation could not determine if the system was on or working properly during the accident flight. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain lateral control of the airplane after he reported a problem with the left engine. The evidence also indicates that the pilot did not follow the emergency procedures for an engine failure during takeoff, which included retracting the landing gear and feathering the propeller. Although the pilot had a history of anxiety and depression, which he was treating with medication that he had not reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, analysis of the pilot's autopsy and medical records found no evidence suggesting that either his medical conditions or the drugs he was taking to treat them contributed to his inability to safely control the airplane in an emergency situation.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane after a reduction in left engine power and his application of inappropriate rudder input. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the emergency procedures for an engine failure during takeoff. Also contributing to the accident was the left engine power reduction for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and thermal damage precluded a complete examination.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200C Super King Air in Nouméa

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2014 at 1150 LT
Operator:
Registration:
F-GRSO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lifou – Nouméa
MSN:
BL-11
YOM:
1980
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Lifou Airport on an ambulance flight to Nouméa-Magenta Airport, carrying two passengers and two pilots. On approach to Magenta Airport, the crew followed the checklist and lower the landing gears. As all three green light failed to came on the cockpit panel, the crew elected to lower the gears manually without success. The crew completed two low passes in front of the control tower and it was confirmed that the left main gear seems to be down but not locked. After a 45-minute flight to burn fuel, the crew completed the landing. Upon touchdown, both main landing gear collapsed while the nose gear remained extended. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All four occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The rupture of two teeth of the sprocket of the control cylinder of the left main landing gear caused the cylinder to be locked and thus caused the mechanical system to extend the landing gear. This blockage prevented the complete extension and locking of the landing gear. This rupture and other damage to the two main landing gear actuators was probably the result of improper installation of the toothed gear and / or improper adjustment of the assembly.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air in Bahía Solano

Date & Time: Jun 2, 2014 at 1700 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PNC-0225
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
BB-1644
YOM:
1998
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bahía Solano-José Celestino Mutis Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered engine problems. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a prairie. The aircraft landed gear up and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. While all three occupants escaped with minor injuries, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air near Carmelo: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 2014 at 1240 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LV-CNT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Fernando - Carmelo
MSN:
BB-1367
YOM:
1990
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
8039
Captain / Total hours on type:
478.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4616
Aircraft flight cycles:
4490
Circumstances:
Owned by Grupo Kowzef (Federico Alejandro Bonomi), the twin engine aircraft departed San Fernando (Buenos Aires) at 1222LT on an executive flight to Carmelo, Uruguay. On approach to Carmelo-Zagarzazú Airport runway 35, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions and initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, he attempted a second approach under VFR mode. While completing a slight turn to the left in descent, the aircraft impacted the surface of the Río de la Plata and came to rest in shallow water some 10 km southwest of Carmelo Airport. The pilot and four passengers were killed and four other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain after the pilot suffered a loss of situational awareness due to a poor evaluation of the flight conditions upon arrival. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The pilot failed to return to his departure airport or to divert to the alternate airport due to poor weather conditions at the destination airport,
- The pilot continued the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions with visibility below minimums,
- Poor evaluation of the flight conditions at destination on part of the pilot due to the combination of psychological and physiological factors.
Final Report: