Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo C in Eilat: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 2013 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4X-AKV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Herzliya - Eilat
MSN:
31-8112021
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Herzliya, the pilot started the approach to Eilat Airport in excellent weather conditions. During the last segment, at a height of about 10 feet, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure following a misunderstanding about an ATC transmission that was given to another crew. The pilot mistakenly closed to fuel valve coupled to the right engine while trying to switch fuel tanks, causing the right engine to stop. Due to an asymmetric thrust, the pilot lost control of the airplane that veered to the right and crashed in a drainage ditch, coming to rest upside down. While both passengers were seriously injured, the pilot was killed.

Crash of an IAI-1124 Westwind in Rosh Pina

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4X-AIP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Eilat - Rosh Pina
MSN:
243
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 33 at Rosh Pina Airport, the captain thought the thrust reverser systems did not work properly so he instructed the copilot to activate them again. The aircraft failed to decelerate correctly so the captain decided to veer off runway when the aircraft struck a concrete block, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All eight occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Runway 33 at Rosh Pina Airport is 1,100 metres long with a displaced threshold, giving a landing distance available of 975 metres. It was determined that the crew never land in the past at this airport and due to a poor flight preparation and planning, failed to identify that the runway length was insufficient for such type of aircraft in such flight configuration. No malfunction was found on the thrust reversers.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Lod

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
4X-AEH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lod – Eilat
MSN:
6496
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At liftoff, an engine failed. The aircraft overturned and crashed upside down. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure at takeoff.