Region
Asia

Crash of a Boeing 737-3Y0 in Zhanjiang

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1999 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-300
Operator:
Registration:
B-2525
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Shantou - Guangzhou - Zhanjiang
MSN:
24918
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
CZ8877
Location:
Zhanjiang
Guangdong
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
81
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Zhanjiang Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and strong winds. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft passed over the runway threshold at a too high altitude of 400 metres. The pilot-in-command increased the rate of descent when the aircraft landed hard and bounced. It floated for about 330 metres then landed 15 metres to the right of the runway. Out of control, it lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen metres further. All 90 occupants were rescued, among them six passengers were injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon landing following a wrong approach configuration. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor approach planning,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The crew failed to follow the approach checklist,
- The crew failed to set the correct QNH on approach,
- The aircraft was too high on approach,
- Poor weather conditions,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F in Shanghai: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1999 at 1604 LT
Type of aircraft:
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
Operator:
Registration:
HL7373
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Shanghai - Seoul
MSN:
48409
YOM:
1992
Flight number:
KE6316
Location:
Shanghai-Hongqiao
Shanghai
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
12898
Captain / Total hours on type:
4856.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1826
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1152
Aircraft flight hours:
28347
Aircraft flight cycles:
4463
Circumstances:
On April 15, 1999, Korean Air cargo flight KE6316, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, Korean registration HL7373, departed from runway 18 at Shanghai-Hongqiao International Airport, for Seoul, Korea with 2 pilots and 1 flight technician on board at 16:01:35 Beijing local time (08:01:35 UTC time). The autopilot was off 1 minute 7 seconds (at 16:02:42) after takeoff. The airplane maneuvered first to the right, and then kept level flight at approximately 200° track for more than 30 seconds, and maneuvered back to the left. The crew was subsequently cleared to climb to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) during which the airplane turned to NHW** at 900 meters (3,000 feet). The airplane passed 1,310 meters at 16:04:15, the airplane suddenly executed a very rapid descent after reaching 1,370 meters (4,500 feet) at 16:04:19 and then the airplane disappeared from the airport SSR screen. The airplane crashed into the ground at 16:04:35 according to Shanghai Seismic Bureau's measurement. The distance from the accident site to the airport runway is 11.6 kilometers, the site azimuth is 165° from the center of the runway centerline. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three crew members were killed as well as five people on the ground. Thirty-six other people were injured, four seriously.
Probable cause:
The joint investigative team determines that the probable cause of the Korean Air flight KE 6316 accident was the flight crew's loss of altitude situational awareness resulting from altitude clearance wrongly relayed by the first officer and the crew's overreaction with abrupt flight control inputs.
Final Report:

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154M in Wenzhou: 61 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1999 at 1634 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
B-2622
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chengdu - Wenzhou
MSN:
90A846
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
SZ4509
Location:
Wenzhou
Zhejiang
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
61
Aircraft flight hours:
14135
Aircraft flight cycles:
7748
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Chengdu, the crew was cleared to descend to Wenzhou Airport. While passing 9,000 metres on descent, the crew encountered technical difficulties with the control column that was too far forward. At 1629LT, the crew was cleared to descend from 1,200 to 700 metres when the aircraft entered a nose-down attitude. Flaps were selected down (first stage) when the AOA alarm sounded in the cockpit. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field. It disintegrated on impact and all 61 occupants were killed. Several farmers were injured by debris.
Probable cause:
A self-locking nut, other than castle nut with cotter pin as specified, had been installed at the bolt for connection between pull rod and bellcranck in the elevator control system. The nut screwed off, resulting in bolt loss, which led to the loss of pitch control.

Crash of a Boeing 737-31B in Shenzhen: 35 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1997 at 2132 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-300
Operator:
Registration:
B-2925
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chongqing - Shenzhen
MSN:
27288
YOM:
1994
Flight number:
CZ3456
Location:
Shenzhen-Bao'an (ex Huangtian), Guangdong
Guangdong
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
65
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Circumstances:
The approach to Shenzhen-Huangtian Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and turbulences. During the last segment, the aircraft was unstable but the crew continued the descent when the aircraft landed hard. The aircraft bounced and suffered undercarriage damages. Despite the situation, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure and increased engine power. During the second attempt to land, the crew encountered control difficulties as the aircraft suffered damages from the first missed landing. Also, weather conditions were poor so the aircraft was unstable on approach. After landing at an excessive speed, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a soft ground, broken in three and bursting into flames. Two crew members and 33 passengers were killed while 39 other people were injured.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Shanghai: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1996 at 1704 LT
Type of aircraft:
Harbin Yunsunji Y-12
Operator:
Registration:
B-3822
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dalian - Shanghai
MSN:
0001
YOM:
1991
Location:
Shanghai-Hongqiao
Shanghai
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Dalian, the crew started the descent to Shanghai-Hongqiao Airport in limited visibility due to marginal weather conditions. While completing a last turn to join the approach path, the twin engine aircraft crashed on the top of a hill located about 3 km short of runway. A pilot and a passenger were killed while 10 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew initiated the last turn prematurely, causing the aircraft to descent below the MDA in limited visibility. At the time of the accident, the aircraft deviated 3 km to the right of the approach path. Lack of visibility was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA in Jinan: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1995 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-42 Cheyenne
Operator:
Registration:
B-3624
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Jinan - Jinan
MSN:
42-5501056
YOM:
1990
Location:
Jinan
Shandong
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Jinan Airport for a local training flight, carrying six pilot under supervision and one instructor. At noon, in unclear circumstances, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Huluyu (540 metres high) and crashed. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382G-43C Hercules in Hong Kong: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1994 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
PK-PLV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hong Kong - Djakarta
MSN:
4826
YOM:
1979
Location:
Hong Kong-Kai Tak
Hong Kong
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
11781
Captain / Total hours on type:
3949.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9064
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2570
Aircraft flight hours:
15223
Circumstances:
Following a normal takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command started the rotation. During initial climb, at a height of about 100 feet and at a speed of 122 knots, the engine n°4 went into Beta range and lost power. The crew elected to regain control but the aircraft rolled to the right, causing the right wing to struck the grassy area along runway 13. Out of control, the aircraft plunged in the Kowloon Bay and came to rest 500 metres offshore. Six occupants were rescued while six others were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The n°4 propeller went into Beta range shortly after rotation because the cable of the speed lever failed,
- The crew were unable to maintain control of the aircraft following this occurrence.

Crash of a Boeing 737-3W0 in Kunming

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1994 at 2226 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-300
Operator:
Registration:
B-2540
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
27139
YOM:
1992
Location:
Kunming-Wujiaba
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
140
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Kunming-Wujiaba Airport runway 03 was completed in poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. Following a wrong approach configuration, the crew landed at an excessive speed of 170 knots and the aircraft touched down 2,500 feet past the runway threshold. On a wet runway surface, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, struck approach lights and the ILS antenna, lost its nose gear and came to rest. All 148 occupants were rescued, among them 15 passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who completed the approach while too high on the glide. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor crew coordination,
- The crew failed to follow the approach and landing checklist,
- The crew failed to check instruments while on approach,
- The aircraft was unstable on approach,
- Poor weather conditions,
- The runway surface was wet and the braking action was reduced,
- The approach and landing speed was excessive (50 knots above standard speed),
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway (2,500 feet past the runway threshold), reducing the landing distance,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154M near Xi'an: 160 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1994 at 0822 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
B-2610
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Xi'an - §Guangzhou
MSN:
86A740
YOM:
1986
Flight number:
WH2303
Location:
Xi'an
Shaanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
146
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
160
Aircraft flight hours:
12507
Aircraft flight cycles:
6651
Circumstances:
Twenty-four seconds after takeoff, while climbing, the crew encountered controllability problems. The captain contacted ATC and reported uncommanded rolled left and right up to 30°. The aircraft continued to climb but reached a high angle of attack when it nosed up to 20°, activating the stall warning alarm. The aircraft reached the altitude of 4,717 metres then rolled to the left, pitched down to an angle of 65° and entered an uncontrolled descent. At a speed of 747 km/h, the aircraft descended to the altitude of 2,884 metres in 12 seconds then suffered structural deformation and failure before crashing in an open field located 29 km southeast of Xi'an Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 160 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of poor maintenance. The previous evening, the autopilot yaw-channel had been erroneously connected to the bank control and the bank-channel to the yaw control, after maintenance was completed at an unapproved facility.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Ürümqi: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1993 at 1456 LT
Type of aircraft:
McDonnell Douglas MD-82
Operator:
Registration:
B-2141
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Shenyang – Beijing – Ürümqi
MSN:
49849
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
UJ6901
Location:
Ürümqi-Diwopu
Xinjiang Uyghur
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
92
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The approach to Ürümqi-Diwopu was completed in limited visibility due to foggy conditions. On short final, the aircraft descended below the glide and struck a concrete wall located 3 km short of runway 25. It gain height and collided with power lines before crashing in a field, bursting into flames. Twelve occupants were killed, among them four crew members. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The automatic pilot system disconnect on final approach for unknown reasons, causing the aircraft to adopt a rate of descent of 800 feet per minute until the aircraft struck a concrete wall and crashed.
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