Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in San Bernardino

Date & Time: May 6, 2016 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2AN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Upland - San Bernardino
MSN:
1G210-55
YOM:
1985
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3350
Captain / Total hours on type:
58.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2924
Circumstances:
The commercial pilot was entering the airport traffic pattern for landing during a familiarization flight. He reported that he turned on the carburetor heat, switched the fuel tank selector to the right fuel tank, and shortly thereafter, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted numerous times to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. After realizing that he would not be able to reach the runway, he decided to make a forced landing to a small field. During the landing approach, the airplane contacted a power line, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During the postaccident examination of the airplane, about 16 ounces of water were removed from the fuel system. Water was present in the lower gascolator, the fine fuel filter (upper gascolator), and subsequent fuel line to the carburetor inlet. A brass screen at the carburetor inlet and 2 carburetor fuel bowl thumb screens also contained corrosion, water, and rust. The approved aircraft inspection checklist called for washing the carburetor and main fuel filter every 50 hours and cleaning and/or replacing the fine fuel filter every 100 hours. The fine fuel filter is not easily accessible and not able to be drained during a preflight inspection. The mechanic who completed the most recent inspection stated that he did not drain or check the fine fuel filter. The last logbook entry that specifically stated the fuel filters were cleaned was about 4 years before the accident.
Probable cause:
The mechanic's failure to inspect the fine fuel filter gascolator as required during the most recent inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Aksarino

Date & Time: Apr 3, 2016 at 0732 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-54828
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aksarino - Aksarino
MSN:
1G184-35
YOM:
16
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6095
Aircraft flight hours:
6782
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a crop spraying mission over plantation located near Aksarino, Republic of Tatarstan, and the aircraft was carrying a load of 1,200 kilos of fertilizers. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the engine encountered technical problems. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot was uninjured.
Probable cause:
Most probably the accident with An-2 RA-54828 aircraft after its takeoff in order to perform crop dusting was caused by inadvertent engine cut-off due to water ingestion into fuel flow system. Most probably water ingestion into engine fuel flow system was due to violation of refueling procedure by the crew. The aircraft sustained significant damage during the emergency landing on slush soft surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Gai: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 2016 at 1244 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-40204
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sterlitamak – Zilair – Akyar – Orsk – Akyar – Sterlitamak
MSN:
1G219-54
YOM:
1986
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4332
Captain / Total hours on type:
1204.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
454
Copilot / Total hours on type:
454
Aircraft flight hours:
6952
Aircraft flight cycles:
20236
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Sterlitamak to Orsk and return via Zilair and Akyar, taking part to an oil pipeline survey mission on behalf of the oil company Transneft. While flying at low height in marginal weather conditions, the crew initiated a turn when the single engine impacted the ground and crashed in a snowy field located 2 km southwest of Gai, about 25 km north of Orsk. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all three occupants were killed. There was no fire. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced to 800 metres and down to 300 metres locally. The cloud base was at 90 metres with freezing fog.
Probable cause:
Most probably the fatal accident with An-2 RA-40204 aircraft was caused by spatial disorientation by the crew turning in visibility restriction conditions (fog) and "whiteout" of snow underlying surface that resulted in uncontrolled descending and aircraft ground impact.
Most probably the following factors contributed to the accident:
- Incorrect evaluation of weather conditions by the crew resulted in unreasonable decision to perform VFR flight,
- Flight operation at the unauthorized law height above ground,
- Lack of IFR operation skills, training and checks for minima reduction by PIC were formal, weather conditions during operations didn't comply with assigned minima requirements.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Bratsk

Date & Time: Sep 16, 2015 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-35141
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Zhelenogorsk-Ilimsky – Taseyovo – Achinsk
MSN:
1G112-23
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5116
Captain / Total hours on type:
4683.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1283
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1283
Aircraft flight hours:
14512
Aircraft flight cycles:
19970
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Zhelenogorsk-Ilimsky Airport on a flight to Achinsk with an intermediate stop in Taseyovo, carrying one passenger and two pilots. After 43 minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of about 1,200 metres, the engine lost power and the oil temperature increased from 70° to 150° C. The aircraft lost height, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft hit tree tops and eventually crash landed in a wooded area located 60 km northeast of Bratsk. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants escaped unarmed.
Probable cause:
The crash of An-2 RA-35141 aircraft occurred during the emergency landing on a forest firebreak. The landing was urged due to in-flight engine power loss as a result of the destruction of the 62.06.02 bronze hub pouring of the master rod big end of the crank mechanism. Most probably the destruction of the bronze hub pouring was caused by a manufacturing flaw consisting in a lack of bronze friction with the steel base on a part of its surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Stăncuța: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 2015 at 0805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YR-PEG
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1G197-44
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
6577
Circumstances:
The history of occurrence was established based on the witnesses’ statements. On 31.07.2015, the aircraft AN-2 registered YR-PEG was positioned on a flight field in the vicinity of the farm in Stӑncuţa commune, Brăila County, being prepared in order to perform several aviochemical flights in Giurgeni area on the following day. In the morning of 01.08.2015, the pilot and the aeronautical technical staff from his team were informed by the beneficiary of aviochemical works that, because it was raining in Giurgeni area, they will perform some aviochemical flights in Stӑncuţa area, in the vicinity of the flight field. Consequently, the aircraft was prepared for the flight in the area as follows: 200 l of gasoline were defueled from the aircraft tanks, the engine was started and the operating parameters were checked according to the specific diagram. The aircraft was supplied with chemical substances for the aerial work and after only a few minutes, the engine was started again, in order to take-off. Onboard there were the pilot and an aeronautical technician (hereinafter referred to as passenger) who occupied the pilot's seat on the right. The take-off on the S-N direction was normal in the first part. The take-off run was short – approximately 100 m, in the witnesses’ opinion – under the conditions of a gusty wind from the E direction, whose speed was gradually increasing. During the initial climb, at a height of about 15-20 m, the aircraft began to lean to the left and descend slightly. During this turn in descent, bank angle continued to increase, the aircraft flying with the left wing at very low height above the aircrafts parked towards the northern end of the flight field. Considering the aircraft evolution and observing that the pilot was not acting for correction, the passenger onboard on the right-hand pilot seat, tried instinctively to turn the aircraft control yoke to the right. According to his statement, he failed to operate the control yoke, considering that this was in a blocking state of which nature he could not specify. With the engine still running in take-off mode, the aircraft continued to descend, and after passing the parked aircrafts, it hit the ground with the propeller and the left wing tip. The impact of the wing tip determined the aircraft to pivot to the left and make a hard contact with the ground. The engine stopped because of the shock. An early fire was extinguished by witnesses arrived at the accident site. Amid the destruction of the cockpit and fuselage, the pilot was thrown out of the aircraft suffering serious injuries. The passenger, who occupied the right-hand seat, managed (after recovering from the shock) to exit the aircraft wreckage. The pilot and passenger were transported to the hospital. Later on, the pilot died due to multiple traumatic injuries, and the passenger required a long hospitalization period due to the injuries suffered. The aircraft was totally destroyed. There was no other damage in the area.
Probable cause:
The probable causes of this accident are the following:
- Temporary incapacitation of the pilot,
- Use of flaps upon take-off in the conditions of deterioration/modification of weather conditions during take-off (wind direction and speed),
- Aircraft operation with incomplete crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Kezhma

Date & Time: Jun 19, 2015 at 1653 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-40646
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kodinsk - Kezhma
MSN:
1G213-53
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12732
Captain / Total hours on type:
5074.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4747
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3538
Aircraft flight hours:
5824
Aircraft flight cycles:
9346
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Kodinsk at 1400LT on a survey flight, carrying five fire bombers and four crew members (two pilots and two observers). About two hours into the flight, the occupant spotted a fire. All five fire bombers were dropped with their materials in two groups. Then the crew increased engine power and continued at an altitude of about 150-200 metres. The engine oil temperature started to increase and reached 150°. Five minutes later, the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft impacted 20 metres tall trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area. The wreckage was found south of Kezhma, some 126 km east of Kodinsk. All four occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident with An-2 RA-40646 aircraft occurred during the emergency landing on a forest. The landing was due to inadvertent in-flight engine shutdown caused by destruction of bronze filling of hub 62.06.02 of master rod big end of crank mechanism. Most probably the destruction of hub bronze filling was caused by manufactured flaw consisting in a lack of bronze adhesion with steel base on the part of a surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Rostov

Date & Time: Jun 15, 2015 at 0754 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-84553
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1G189-20
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10541
Aircraft flight hours:
9645
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was engaged in a crop spraying mission on behalf of the Mikhail Farm located in the Tatsinsky District of the Rostov Region. The aircraft was carrying 400 kilos of fuel, 1,200 liters of pesticides, one pilot and one boy aged 13, the son of the farmer. Few minutes after takeoff, while approaching the area to be treated at a height of about 20-25 metres and at a speed of 130 km/h, the engine failed. The aircraft lost height, collided with power cables and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found 2 km from the Mikhail farmhouse. The pilot escaped unhurt while the boy was injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The reason for the accident with An-2 RA-84553 was performing a flight in a known defective aircraft, leading to engine failure and the need for in-flight forced landing, during which there was a collision with power lines, followed by a rough landing that led to the structural failure and fire. Investigation to determine the cause of the engine failure was not possible due to the failure to ensure the safety of the aircraft after the accident and the absence of operational and technical documentation. The adoption of the decision by the pilot to reject takeoff after detecting a loss engine power on the takeoff could have prevented the accident. The aircraft did not have a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and the time between overhauls had been exceeded on 10 April 2015.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Sanamer

Date & Time: May 18, 2015 at 0912 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-56528
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kevsala – Gribnoye
MSN:
1G183-28
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Captain / Total hours on type:
17500.00
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was completing a flight from Kevsala (Ipatovo district of the Stavropol region) to Gribnoye, in the Novopavlovsk district, carrying one pilot and four oil drums. En route, while approaching Sanamer at low altitude, the pilot encountered engine problems and attempted an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft hit a fence, crushed some trees and came to rest against the wall of a church. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The need of the emergency landing was due to the engine flameout in the air most probably caused by the oil tank swelling and pressing its wall on the fuel shutoff valve lever. Oil tank pressure and its swelling most probably caused carbon deposit in vent pipeline connecting oil tank with atmosphere.
The following factors most probably contributed to the accident:
- No water washing of the oil tank and vent pipeline of oil tank with atmosphere specified by scheduled maintenance after 400±30 flight hours or 12±1 month of operation;
- Aircraft maintenance by people not having the aircraft maintenance license;
- Flight operation over locality at the altitude insufficient to perform landing within its limits in case of aircraft nonoperation;
- Flight operation by PIC in moderate alcohol intoxication.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in the Baltic Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 2015 at 1535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LY-AET
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Stauning – Kattleberg – Klaipėda
MSN:
1G192-07
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9006
Captain / Total hours on type:
8995.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
15349
Copilot / Total hours on type:
12553
Aircraft flight hours:
6920
Aircraft flight cycles:
26031
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a delivery flight from Stauning (Denmark) to Klaipėda with an intermediate stop in Kattleberg, Sweden. Recently acquired by the company for agricultural purposes, the single engine aircraft departed Kattleberg Airfield at 1312LT with an ETA in Klaipėda at 1720LT. En route, the crew informed ATC about their position at 1508LT. Less than half an hour later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in unknown circumstances in the Baltic Sea, some 111 km off Klaipėda. The crew of a Lithuanian Marine vessel located the wreckage three days later at a depth of 124 meters. A dead body was found on May 21. The second pilot was not found.
Final Report: