Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 in Istanbul

Date & Time: Oct 11, 2007 at 1929 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SU-BOY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hurghada - Warsaw
MSN:
53191/2151
YOM:
1996
Flight number:
AMV4270
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
156
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Hurghada to Warsaw, while cruising over Turkey, the crew contacted ATC and reported electrical and hydraulic problems. The crew was cleared to divert to Istanbul-Atatürk Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest near the ILS antenna after both main gears collapsed. All 163 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Malemba Nkulu: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 2007 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CVL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lubumbashi – Malemba Nkulu
MSN:
81 06 17
YOM:
1981
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Malemba Nkulu, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a cemetery located 500 metres short of runway. The copilot was killed while four passengers and the captain were seriously injured. The stewardess escaped unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Chattanooga

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2007 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N10TM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Birmingham - Chattanooga
MSN:
LJ-476
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11150
Captain / Total hours on type:
371.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9638
Circumstances:
Prior to departing, the pilot looked at the fuel quantity indicators, and believed that approximately 3 hours of fuel was available for the estimated 1 hour 20 minute flight. Upon reaching the cruise portion of the flight, the pilot realized that an insufficient quantity of fuel remained in order to complete the planned flight, and he elected to divert to a closer airport. While on final approach to the diversionary airport, both engines lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing to a parking lot. When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane during the flight, the pilot stated, "the airplane performed the way it was suppose to when it ran out of fuel."
Probable cause:
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the landing approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75 in San José

Date & Time: Sep 3, 2007
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N726JR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San José – Cartagena
MSN:
370-4
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from San José-Juan Santamaria Airport runway 07, one of the tyre burst. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage, hit obstacles and came to rest near the perimeter fence. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver I in Traitor's Cove: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 2007 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N345KA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Traitor's Cove - Ketchikan
MSN:
1306
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Captain / Total hours on type:
7000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
22409
Circumstances:
The float-equipped airplane was departing from a remote bay 20 miles north of Ketchikan, Alaska, to return air taxi passengers to Ketchikan after a ground tour. The accident pilot, who reported that he had 17,000 flight hours and 7,000 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane, said that southeasterly winds had begun to increase while he was waiting at the bay for the passengers to return from the tour. He said that, unlike when he had landed about 2.5 hours earlier, it was no longer “nice and calm” when the passengers returned. The pilot noticed choppy waves in parts of a nearby cove. To avoid some of the wind and waves, the pilot elected to take off toward the interior of the bay, in the direction of rising terrain. The pilot said that he had never taken off in that direction before. The pilot also said that he had intended to make a shallow, right-climbing turn toward the mouth of the bay and away from the terrain, but shortly after takeoff, he saw numerous choppy waves concentrated along his proposed departure flightpath, which he said indicated to him that strong winds were likely along that path. The pilot decided to change his plan and continue flying straight temporarily, away from the waves, and to make a left, 180-degree turn inside the bay, which was surrounded by high terrain. The pilot indicated that when the turn was initiated, the airplane was about 400 feet above the water, and he did not recall the indicated airspeed. The attempted 180-degree turn was within the airplane’s performance capabilities but placed it closer to rising terrain. While attempting this turn, the pilot encountered a downdraft, was unable to climb above the terrain, and stalled the airplane about 60 feet above the ground. The downdraft likely made it more difficult to avoid descending into the rising terrain. A weather study by the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that there was a gust front in the area and an abrupt wind change about the time of the accident. Pilots flying nearby also reported low-level windshear, strong winds, and turbulence. No mechanical anomalies were discovered during postaccident inspections by the Safety Board. Five passengers including two children were killed. A month later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.
Probable cause:
An inadvertent aerodynamic stall resulting from the pilot's poor decision-making and inadequate planning and execution when he took off toward nearby rising terrain, in strong winds, under circumstances where his options for maneuvering were severely limited and where his safety margin was, thus, insufficient.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Marigot

Date & Time: Aug 11, 2007 at 1635 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N500ND
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint John's - Marigot
MSN:
35A-351
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On August 11, 2007, at 1635 Atlantic standard time, a Gates Learjet 35A, N500ND, registered to World Jet of Delaware Inc, and operated by World Jet II as a 14 CFR 135 on-demand on-scheduled international passenger air taxi flight, went off the end of runway 09 at Melville Hall, Dominica, on landing roll out. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The airline transport rated pilot in command (PIC), first officer (FO), and four passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Saint John's Antigua Island on August 11, 2007, at 1600. The PIC stated the first officer was flying the airplane and the tower cleared them to enter a left downwind. On touchdown the FO requested spoilers, and noticed poor braking. The PIC pumped the brakes with no response. The drag chute was deployed but was not effective. The PIC stated he took over the flight controls and applied maximum braking. The airplane continued to roll off the end of the runway, down an embankment, through a fence, and came to a stop on a road.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Dodger Channel

Date & Time: Jul 31, 2007 at 1258 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N340KA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Patricia Bay - Dodger Channel
MSN:
1127
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The Sound Flight DHC-2 float-equipped Beaver aircraft, N340KA, flew from Patricia Bay to Dodger Channel where the pilot planned to land. He set up an approach to land to the south in Dodger Channel, into the wind. On short final, the pilot noticed a shoal so he decided to overshoot, make a circuit, and land beyond the shoal. He applied power, established a climb and began a left turn. As the aircraft turned, it came into the lee of Diana Island. The aircraft encountered subsiding air and began to descend. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent. The aircraft struck the water and sank. All six occupants escaped without any injury but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Ketchikan: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 2007 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N995WA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Ketchikan
MSN:
1100
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
5273
Captain / Total hours on type:
178.00
Aircraft flight hours:
17356
Circumstances:
The air taxi float-equipped airplane was the second of three airplanes on an air tour flight over a remote scenic area in southeast Alaska. As the flight of three airplanes flew into mountainous terrain, the first pilot reported low clouds, with rain and fog, which required him to descend to 700 feet msl to maintain VFR flight conditions. The pilot of the third tour airplane, which was about 5 minutes behind the accident airplane, stated that as he approached the area around the accident site, he encountered "a wall of weather" which blocked his intended flight route, and he turned around. The accident airplane's fragmented wreckage was discovered in an area of steep, tree-covered terrain, about 2,500 feet msl, near the area where the third airplane turned around. The NTSB discovered no mechanical problems with the airplane during postaccident inspections. An NTSB weather study revealed instrument meteorological conditions in the area at the time of the accident. Photographs recovered from a passenger's camera depicted deteriorating weather conditions as the flight progressed. A charter boat captain, who had seen numerous float-equipped tour airplanes operating in adverse weather conditions, called the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) 9 days before the accident, to report his sightings. According to the FAA, no specific tour operator could be identified during their ensuing investigation, and no enforcement actions or additional surveillance of any operators was initiated. According to the FSDO manager, the local FSDO had lost inspectors due to downsizing. He reported they had not attempted to observe operators' adherence to weather minimums via ground-based viewing locations along the heavily traveled tour routes, and noted that FAA inspectors used to purchase air tour tickets to provide en route, on-board surveillance, but had not done so for approximately the last 10 years. He noted that additional inspector assistance from other FAA offices was not requested
Probable cause:
The pilot's decision to continue under visual flight rules into an area of instrument metrological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the FAA's inadequate surveillance of the commercial air tour operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Muncho Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 2007 at 1235 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-FAWC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Muncho Lake – Prince George
MSN:
108
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
6000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10800
Copilot / Total hours on type:
105
Circumstances:
At approximately 1235 Pacific daylight time, the Liard Air Limited de Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter (registration C-FAWC, serial number 108) was taking off from a gravel airstrip near the Northern Rockies Lodge at Muncho Lake on a visual flight rules flight to Prince George, British Columbia. After becoming airborne, the aircraft entered a right turn and the right outboard flap hanger contacted the Alaska Highway. The aircraft subsequently struck a telephone pole and a telephone cable, impacted the edge of the highway a second time, and crashed onto a rocky embankment adjacent to a dry creek channel. The aircraft came to rest upright approximately 600 feet from the departure end of the airstrip. An intense post-impact fire ensued and the aircraft was destroyed. One passenger suffered fatal burn injuries, one pilot was seriously burned, the other pilot sustained serious impact injuries, and the other two passengers received minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. The take-off was attempted at an aircraft weight that did not meet the performance capabilities of the aircraft to clear an obstacle and, as a result, the aircraft struck a telephone pole and a telephone cable during the initial climb.
2. A take-off and climb to 50 feet performance calculation was not completed prior to take-off; therefore, the flight crew was unaware of the distance required to clear the telephone cable.
3. The southeast end of the airstrip was not clearly marked; as a result, the take-off was initiated with approximately 86 feet of usable airstrip behind the aircraft.
4. The take-off was attempted in an upslope direction and in light tailwind, both of which increased the distance necessary to clear the existing obstacles.
Findings as to Risk:
1. Operational control within the company was insufficient to reduce the risks associated with take-offs from the lodge airstrip.
2. The take-off weight limits for lodge airstrip operations were not effectively communicated to the flight crew.
3. Maximum performance short take-off and landing (MPS) techniques may have been necessary in order to accomplish higher weight Twin Otter take-offs from the lodge airstrip; however, neither the aircraft nor the company were approved for MPS operations.
4. The first officer’s shoulder harness assembly had been weakened by age and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure; as a result, it failed within the design limits at impact.
5. The SeeGeeTM calculator operating index (OI) values being used by Liard Air Twin Otter pilots was between 0.5 and 1.0 units greater than the correct SeeGeeTM OI values; therefore, whenever the SeeGeeTM calculator was used for flight planning, the actual centre of gravity (c of g) of the aircraft would have been forward of the calculated CofG.
6. There are no airworthiness standards specifically intended to contain fuel and/or to prevent fuel ignition in crash conditions in fixed-gear United States Civil Aviation Regulation 3 and United States Federal Aviation Regulation 23 aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Matambwe

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2007 at 1430 LT
Operator:
Registration:
5H-WAY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dar es Salaam – Matambwe
MSN:
31-7305096
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Dar es Salaam Airport on a charter flight to Matambwe, in the Selous Game Reserve, carrying five Finnish tourists and one pilot. Upon landing at Matambwe Airstrip, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around procedure when the aircraft collided with trees located past the runway end and crashed, bursting into flames. All six occupants were injured, two seriously. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.