Crash of an AMI Turbo DC-3T in Likwangbala: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-LYW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
14357/25802
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an humanitarian flight on behalf of Unicef. On approach to an airstrip somewhere near Likwangbala, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Lake Bondesir

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GCXD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14167/25612
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taking off from the icy Lake Bondésir, the left ski struck an ice ridge on the ground. The main gear/ski collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK in Cerro Aicha: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1994 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-761C
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12476
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While on approach to Cerro Aicha in good weather conditions, the aircraft was too low when it struck tree tops and crashed 2 km short of runway 15 threshold. Eight occupants were injured and seven others were killed, among them all three crew members.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Villavicencio: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1994 at 0738 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2213
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Villavicencio – Puerto Carreño – La Primavera
MSN:
11752
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Less than three minutes after takeoff from Villavicencio-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport, while climbing, the captain reported engine problems to ATC. While approaching an open field at low speed in an attempt to make an emergency landing, the crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed. All three crew members and four passengers were killed while 21 others were injured. A passenger escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. It was reported that one of the engine lost power during initial climb and white smoke was coming out.
Probable cause:
Engine problems for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Spokane: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1994 at 0156 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3433Y
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Spokane - Portland
MSN:
43089
YOM:
1947
Flight number:
SAL2991
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3877
Captain / Total hours on type:
3114.00
Aircraft flight hours:
37190
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, the copilot reported that the flight was returning with the right engine shut down. Seconds later, the tower controller saw a fire. The airplane collided with level terrain, 3,450 feet from the end of runway 21 in a 75° to 80° nose down attitude. The right engine propeller was found in the feathered position. The left engine indicated evidence that it was producing power at the time of impact. A fatigue crack was found that separated the head from the barrel on the number eight cylinder of the right engine. No other evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain airspeed. Factors to the accident were: cylinder fatigue, dark night and stall encountered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-65TP in Lokichoggio

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-KCV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15268/26713
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a humanitarian flight on behalf of Unicef. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, it went out of control and crashed on a parking lot. It was destroyed and all four occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew forgot to unlock the tail prior to departure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Barranco Minas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3220
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Felipe - Villavicencio
MSN:
11808
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Felipe, Guainía, to Villavicencio, carrying three passengers, three crew members and a load of straw. En route, one of the engine failed and the crew decided to divert to Barranco Minas Airport. After touchdown on runway 27, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and plunged in the Río Guaviare. Four people were rescued while the bodies of the copilot and the flight engineer disappeared in the river.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-65TP in Jamba: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1992 at 2232 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-DHX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jamba - Pretoria
MSN:
15908/32656
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Jamba Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft rolled to the right, causing the right wing to struck trees. The airplane lost height and crashed near the runway end. All 14 passengers were injured and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The copilot was the PIC at the time of the accident. It was reported that engine power was reduced shortly after liftoff and the copilot asked the captain to raise the flaps and to switch off the approach light just after rotation. The assumption that the PIC suffered a spatial disorientation at liftoff was not ruled out.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Masai Mara

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-BBN
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16097/32845
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident upon landing on an airport somewhere in the Masai Mara National Reserve. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Heidelberg: 28 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1991 at 1137 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-CCCC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Egelsbach - Egelsbach
MSN:
7353
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Egelsbach Airport in the middle morning on a local charter flight, carrying 29 passengers and a crew of three, among them a team who should make a TV movie on board. In flight, the captain left his seat and passengers came in the cockpit. The copilot was supposed to follow the Rhine River but distracted by discussions with the passengers, he mistook the Rhine with the Neckar River. Few minutes later, weather conditions deteriorated and the copilot decided to continue instead of returning. At an altitude of about 500 metres, he initiated a left turn when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located in the forest of Hoher Nistler, about 5 km northeast of Heidelberg. Four passengers were seriously injured while 28 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident occured in IMC conditions and the pilot mistook both Rhine and Neckar rivers while flying at a relative low altitude. The following factors were reported:
- Poor crew coordination,
- The crew failed to return,
- Poor visibility,
- The total weight of the aircraft was above MTOW,
- The CofG was out of permissible limit.