Ponta Delgada | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Crash of a BAe ATP on São Jorge Island: 35 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1999 at 1018 LT

Type of aircraft:

BAe ATP

Operator:

Registration:

CS-TGM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Ponta Delgada - Horta

MSN:

2030

YOM:

1990

Flight number:

SP530

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

19721

Captain / Total hours on type:

2652.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

5827

Copilot / Total hours on type:

514

Aircraft flight hours:

11305

Aircraft flight cycles:

23584

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Ponta Delgada Airport at 0930LT on a schedule flight to Horta, carrying 31 passengers and a crew of four. The weather en route was affected by a frontal system with scattered cumulonimbus, heavy showers, turbulence and strong winds from the southwest. The crew decided to alter their flight plan, opting for a route that included approach descent over the channel between Pico and São Jorge islands to intercept the 250 degree VOR/VFL Horta radial. Horta tower initially cleared the flight to FL100. The crew then requested and were cleared to descent to 5,000 feet with the instruction of maintaining visual contact with Pico Island. During the descent heavy rain and turbulence were encountered. Seven minutes after initiating the descent, while in IMC conditions, the airplane impacted the northern hillside of Pico da Esperança (1067 metres high) located on São Jorge Island. It was later reported that the GPWS alarm sounded 17 seconds before impact. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 35 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to maintain the proper altitude. The following factors were identified:
- Inaccurate navigation configuration on part of the crew,
- The crew failed to properly use the weather radar,
- The crew failed to pay sufficient attention to the radio altimeter settings,
- The aircraft was not equipped with a modern and autonomous navigation system which may allow the crew to know their position with more precision,
- Lack of visibility due to poor weather conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Transall C-160D off Ponta Delgada: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1995

Type of aircraft:

Transall C-160

Operator:

Registration:

50+43

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Ponta Delgada - Saint John's

MSN:

D65

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Ponta Delgada-Nordela Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It collided with power lines, stalled and crashed in the sea few dozen metres offshore. All seven crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was reported that one of the engine failed after Vr but before rotation. It was apparently too late for the crew to abort the takeoff procedure. Due to insufficient power, the aircraft was unable to gain height.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Horta: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1990 at 1802 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31 Cheyenne

Operator:

Inter-Thon

Registration:

F-GJPL

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ponta Delgada - Horta

MSN:

31-8120029

YOM:

1981

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8590

Aircraft flight hours:

1663

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Ponta Delgada Airport at 1449LT on a survey flight over the Atlantic ocean to trace shoals of tuna, carrying two passengers, one observer and one pilot. At 1751LT, the mission was over and the pilot was cleared to descend to Horta Airport. On final approach to runway 29, after being cleared to land, the aircraft entered a right turn then lost height and crashed 600 meters to the right of the runway 29 extended centerline. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the loss of control following an unexpected right turn on short final was the consequence of a temporary disability of the pilot who probably suffered an aortic rupture. Nevertheless, the following hypothesis were not ruled out: asphyxia to carbon monoxide, convulsion or a heart attack.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL into the Atlantic Ocean

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-16396

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Ponta Delgada – Saint John’s

MSN:

20862

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, an engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft about 500 km southeast of Saint John's. The airplane crashed near a US Coast Guard ship. All four crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor off Ponta Delgada: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1947 at 1020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Registration:

CS-TAA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Ponta Delgada - Santa Maria

MSN:

6076

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

600

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Ponta Delgada Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. Few debris were found on water surface but all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty as the wreckage was not found.

Final Report:

Crash of a Savoia S.55X off Ponta Delgada: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1933 at 0530 LT

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti S.55

Operator:

Registration:

I-RANI

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Ponta Delgada – Lisbon

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was taking part to a world tour under the command of General Italo Balbo. After takeoff from Ponta Delgada, the seaplane crashed into the sea and came to rest upside down. One crew member was killed.