IAI Arava 201 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine airplane departed Shell Airport at 1251LT for a local training exercice with a crew of three and 19 paratroopers on board. About an hour into the flight, the crew informed ground he was returning to his base due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area. All 22 occupants were killed. Up to date, this is the worst accident involving an IAI Arava 201.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Guadalupe y Calvo

Date & Time: Apr 20, 2012 at 1247 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

3010

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

0039

YOM:

1976

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Shortly after takeoff from El Zorrillo Airport, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The crew attempted a forced landing in an open field located near the airport when the aircraft crashed. All seven occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in El Cedrito: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2006 at 1535 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

GN-8168

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Schedule:

Puerto Ayacucho – Caracas

MSN:

071

YOM:

1981

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While cruising at an altitude of 6,700 feet in marginal weather conditions, the crew started the descent to Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar and descended to 5,000 feet when the aircraft struck trees and crashed on the slope of a mountain located near the village of El Cedrito, about 29 km southwest of the airport. The wreckage was found two day later, in the morning of May 7. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew started the descent prematurely.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Swaziland

Date & Time: Nov 20, 2004 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Umbufto Swaziland Defence Force

Registration:

3D-DAC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

070

YOM:

1981

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The crew just completed a paratroopers mission when weather conditions deteriorated. The crew decided to divert to a remote airstrip located in the southeast part of the country. After weather conditions improved, the crew took off for a back trip to his base. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to get airborne and crashed in a sugar cane field. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was reported that the crew elected to takeoff with the control locks still engaged.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Palacios

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2001

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

316

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

YOM:

1976

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The crew completed the approach with a 13 knots tailwind component and landed too far down the runway, about half runway down. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest few dozen metres further. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in San Carlos: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1999 at 1420 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

Operator:

Registration:

EV8012

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

La Carlota – Acarigua

MSN:

062

YOM:

1979

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Circumstances:

En route from La Carlota to Acarigua, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near San Carlos. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Mexico

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1998

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

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The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Mexico while engaged in a fire fighting mission. Occupant's fate unknown. The accident occurred somewhere in 1998, exact date unknown.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 near Escuintla

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1998

Type of aircraft:

IAI Arava 201

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The aircraft was completing a special flight to a remote area in the coast of Chiapas, carrying three crew members and a load of essential products. After landing along the motorway Tonolá - Tapachula, the right wing collided with an obstacle. The aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The accident occurred at km 147.