Zone
Malta

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne I in Cassano di Centenaro: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 2006 at 0322 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31 Cheyenne
Operator:
Air Loop
Registration:
I-POMO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Valetta - Milan
MSN:
31-7904030
YOM:
1979
Location:
Cassano di Centenaro
Emilia-Romagna
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3169
Captain / Total hours on type:
2540.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3122
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Valetta Airport, Malta, on a night flight to Milan-Linate Airport, carrying one passenger and one pilot. After passing Elba Island at an altitude of 21,000 feet, over the Gulf of Genoa, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed route to the east while it was supposed to pass over Genoa before descending to Milan. Few minutes later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located in Cassano di Centenaro, about 43 km southwest of Piacenza. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot lost control of the aircraft, resulting in a collision with the ground. For reasons that investigations have not been able to determine with precision, the twin engine aircraft deviated from its intended course to the east. The lack of visibility caused by night could remain a contributing factor in that the pilot was not able to distinguish the ground and determine his position accurately. The analysis of the flight path and the debris of the aircraft did not make it possible to provide convincing and objective evidence on the possibility of an in-flight structural failure, of a technical failure of the flight controls or any alteration in the psychic or physical abilities of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76TD in Belgrade: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1996 at 0316 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-76
Operator:
Registration:
RA-76513
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Yekaterinburg - Belgrade - Valetta
MSN:
00834 14451
YOM:
1988
Location:
Belgrade-Nikola Tesla (ex Surčin)
Belgrade City District
Country:
Serbia
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Yekaterinburg to Africa via Belgrade and Luqa, Malta, carrying two passengers, 10 crew members and a load of aircraft tires and squibs. Following a night takeoff from Belgrade-Surčin Airport, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and reported the loss of all electrical power. Following a holding pattern for about 2,5 hours, the crew attempted to land but the visibility was low due to poor weather conditions. On short final, without any headlights, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 800 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. All 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that prior to takeoff from Belgrade-Surčin Airport, while preparing the flight, the crew forgot to switch on the VU-6A AC/DC converter after start-up of the engines, causing the 27 volts electrical system to be constantly fed from the batteries. When batteries ran flat, all the avionic and boosters were left without power.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-10 LodeStar I in Valetta

Date & Time: May 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGCR
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Valetta – London
MSN:
2072
YOM:
1941
Location:
Valetta
Malta
Country:
Malta
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off in unknown circumstances at Valetta-Luqa Airport, Malta. No casualties.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88A-4 in Valetta: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Junkers JU.88
Operator:
Registration:
3Z+KN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
3641
Location:
Valetta
Malta
Country:
Malta
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Valetta. Two crew members were killed and two others became PoW.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin 167 Maryland I off Valetta: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1942 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin 167 Maryland
Operator:
Registration:
AR721
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Luqa - Luqa
Location:
Valetta
Malta
Country:
Malta
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Luqa on a combat mission off the Maltese coast. It was shot down by a Me.110 and crashed into the sea off Valetta. Two crew members were killed and a third was rescued.
Crew:
W/Cdr John Noel Dowland, pilot, †
P/O Arnold Potter, observer,
P/O Robert Victor Gridley, wireless operator. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88A-4 off Valetta: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Junkers JU.88
Operator:
Registration:
M7+HH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
3594
Location:
Valetta
Malta
Country:
Malta
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Valetta, killing the entire crew.
Crew.
Uffz Werner Lessner, pilot,
Gefr Josef Diesenbach, observer,
Gefr Karl-Heinz Beckenau, radio operator,
Gefr Herbert Mitlerer, air gunner.

Crash of a Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra into the Mediterranean Sea: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1939 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 14 Super Electra
Operator:
Registration:
G-AFYU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alexandria – El Salloum – Valetta – Croydon
MSN:
1444
YOM:
1939
Location:
Libya
All Libya
Country:
Libya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Less than an hour after his departure from El Salloum Airport, at the border between Egypt and Libya, the pilot sent a mayday message due to unknown technical problems. He was forced to ditch the aircraft into the Mediterranean Sea. The crew of a ship was quickly on the scene and was able to rescue six occupants, among them the pilot, while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical problem.

Crash of a CMASA Wal Jupiter VIII/R Cabina off Valetta

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1932
Type of aircraft:
CMASA Wal
Operator:
Registration:
I-AZEA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Rome – Tripoli
MSN:
112
YOM:
1930
Location:
Valetta
Malta
Country:
Malta
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Valetta, an engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing off the Maltese coast. All nine occupants were rescued and later embarked on the destroyer named 'Brillant'. The aircraft was towed but considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.
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