Convair CV-340

While approaching Dhahran Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with sandstorm. Unable to locate the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around and followed a holding pattern. A second attempt to land was made few minutes later but again, the crew was forced to make a go-around due to poor visibility. During the third approach, the aircraft was too low and struck a sand dune located 5 km short of runway and crashed. All 11 occupants were killed.

En route, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to divert to Evansville-Dress Airport for an emergency landing. On short final, the captain decided to make a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. All 42 occupants were evacuated among them 10 were injured. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft was on scheduled domestic flight from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro with 5 crew and 45 passengers aboard. Following an eight-minute delay due to heavy traffic, the flight was cleared to take off from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport. One minute after takeoff the pilot-in-command reported to the tower that the aircraft's n°2 engine was on fire, and he would return to the airport. A left turn was begun, and it is presumed that the pilot feathered n°2 propeller. He began the downwind leg to runway 16 and asked the tower operators whether anything abnormal could be seen regarding the aircraft's n°2 engine. The tower operators, from whom n°2 engine was hidden by the fuselage, reported that they could not see anything abnormal. Presumably the pilot unfeathered the propeller which started windmilling. Approximately abeam the tower, the aircraft began to lose altitude and when it started the final turn its altitude was very low. The aircraft was probably nosed up and stalled with a bank of 45°; it first struck a house with its nose and left wing, then hit the ground (elevation 800 meters) and made a 260° turn on its left wing. The accident occurred at night in a well illuminated, densely populated area. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and 4 crew members and 33 passengers were killed, 13 other occupants being injured.

The landing procedure was completed on a waterlogged runway. After touchdown, the airplane deviated from the centerline to the right and veered off runway. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the airplane came to rest. All nine occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The first officer, who was flying, started the approach to runway 17 which does not have approach lights nor Instrument landing System. At the time the aircraft was northbound in the holding pattern of the Grand Island VOR. A 90 degree left turn, then a 270 degree right turn was accomplished which aligned the aircraft, with the runway. The following sequence of events was described by the captain and substantiated by the first officer. The captain stated “. . . We completed the approach checklist and made a turn north of the low frequency range (8391 feet from the threshold of runway 17) which was visible as we went over it. The area around the range and the south half of the distance to the airport was absolutely clear. Our path was one which had the runway lights clearly aligned. (The runway lights were on at position 3 which is medium intensity.) The approach was a normal gradual descent. The radios were tuned to the low frequency range and the Omni. Since we were not ready to land our checklist was complete with the exception of approach flaps and landing flaps and ADI on. There were no ground witnesses to the approach or crash which was in a large level open field. There was no moonlight and the captain testified that except for the lights on the range station, there were no ground lights seen under the approach path. Both he and the first officer testified that they did not observe the runway light appear to "spread," which amounts to a visual warning of being very low - nearly at the level of the lights upon approaching the runway. A weather observation at 2037. seven minutes after the accident was: special, clear, visibility 7 miles, temperature 26 degrees F, dewpoint 26 degrees F, wind south 10 knots, altimeter setting 29.80 inches (aircraft accident) (observation recorded but not transmitted via teletype). The initial point of contact of the nosewheel was about three feet to the right of the extended centerline of runway 17 and approximately 4,061 feet short of the threshold of that runway. Additional marks indicate that the aircraft struck while nearly level longitudinally, in a yaw of about six degrees to the right, and in a shallow left bank. Upon initial impact, the left main landing gear collapsed and was torn free. Both propellers struck the ground and were also torn off with the nose cones of their respective engines. The left wing became detached as the aircraft rolled to the left onto its back and slid, inverted, swerving to the left and coming to rest on a heading of about 045 degrees at a distance of 1,275 feet from the place of first contact. Fire developed in the detached left wing, but not in the fuselage. Consequently all 43 occupants were able to evacuate the aircraft quickly, with the majority going out through the galley service door, which the stewardess opened and the others leaving via the emergency exit at seat 8D. The captain left through a cockpit window; the first officer and one passenger through a hole in the fuselage. Injuries were sustained by both pilots and three passengers. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

After takeoff from Vallenar, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to feather the propeller and the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field located 5 km north of the airport and came to rest. All 30 occupants were evacuates safely.

The aircraft was performing a flight from New York to Andrews AFB, carrying a crew of four and four passengers, among them Paul B. Fay Jr. who should be appointed under-secretary of the US Navy. While descending to Andrews, the crew was informed about poor weather conditions at destination and the captain decided to divert to Bader Field. Few minutes later, the electric system failed. The pilot-in-command was able to land on runway 04 at Bader Field but after touchdown, he was unable to activate the reverse thrust due to the electric failure. Unable to stop withing the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and eventually plunged into the Bay of Thorofare. All eight occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

On approach to Galeão Airport in Rio, weather conditions worsened and the crew was instructed by ATC to follow a holding pattern. Heavy rain falls and foggy conditions prevailed at this time. Few minutes later, the crew attempted a second approach to Galeão Airport when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Guanabara Bay. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 54 occupants were killed. Up to date, this was the worst air tragedy in Brazil.

The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Belgrade to Munich-Riem Airport with an intermediate refueling stop at Vienna. It departed from Vienna for Munich at 1837LT with 30 people aboard. At 2033, after passing Munich NDB at 12 000 feet, the flight reported to Munich Area Control Centre and shortly thereafter was instructed to descend to 10 000 feet. The pilot was asked whether he wished an ILS approach monitored by GCA but he decided on a GCA approach. At approximately 2048, after overflying non- directional beacon DHR (35 km east of Riem Airport), a further descent to 7 000 feet was carried out. A subsequent instruction to descend to 4 000 feet was also complied with and the pilot was asked to notify GCA when passing 6 000 feet. At 2053 the flight was cleared for a direct instrument approach to runway 25. At 2056 it reported passing 6 300 feet and at 2058 as having reached 3 500 feet. It was then cleared to descend to 3 000 this altitude was to be maintained. The flight was then 7 miles east of the airport. At 2059 the pilot reported leaving 3 000 feet and was requested to carry out the necessary cockpit checks for landing. GCA ordered a course of 240 degrees and advised the pilot that he was 4.5 miles from touchdown. He was requested to maintain 3 000 feet and was ordered to pull up to this altitude as he was below the minimum height of his glide path. No answer was received. The aircraft struck the ground at approximately 2103 hours, killing 2 crew members and 1 passenger and injuring 12 others.

The flight departed Belgrade Airport in clear weather at approximately 1230 hours Greenwich Mean Time en route to Vienna carrying 25 passengers and a crew of 4. At 1425 hours the aircraft was transferred by area control to Vienna approach control. The pilot was advised to use the homer for approach and a QDM of 100° was given at 1429 hours. At 1430 the aircraft reported over radio beacon OEW and was instructed to remain 150 meters (500 feet) above the cloud top. A QDM of 123° was obtained at this time. At 1431 the aircraft was cleared to descend to 1,060 meters (3,500 feet) and instructed to report again at this altitude over beacon OEW. The flight was cleared then for an instrument approach, the pilot was given the QNH setting for his altimeter and instructed to use Runway 12. Bearings were taken and QDM's reported to the pilot, the last being: "1439 hours: QDM 140°. As requested, this one was repeated. However, it was not acknowledged by the pilot. Shortly after, the aircraft, while flying In the direction of the airport, with landing gear down and flaps at the approach angle, gave full throttle for a moment, pulled up and crashed at 1440 hours into the northwest slope of the Kahlenberg, facing up- hill. Fire broke out following impact and the aircraft was completely destroyed. The pilot and five passengers were killed and one passenger received fatal injuries. The other occupants of the aircraft received injuries of varying degrees and seven passengers required no medical attention whatsoever.