Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Pamplona: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 2006 at 1648 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-JAX
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Madrid - Pamplona
MSN:
421C-0337
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1771
Captain / Total hours on type:
520.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
460
Aircraft flight hours:
3518
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Madrid-Torrejón AFB on a charter flight to Pamplona with 4 businessmen and a crew of two on board. While descending to Pamplona-Noain Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. Unable to establish a visual contact with runway 15, the crew initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, while flying at an insufficient altitude, the aircraft impacted ground and crashed in a hilly terrain located in the Sierra de Tajonar, near the village of Labiano. The copilot and a passenger were killed while all other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The crew did not establish a visual contact with the runway and initiated a go-around procedure during which approximations were noted in the flight techniques adopted by the pilots who continued the flight in unstable conditions. As a result, the aircraft was 16 ° off the prescribed path and was flying at an insufficient altitude.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The wind did not correspond to the component reported in the bulletin published for the destination airport, which affected the aircraft flight path,
- The total weight of the airplane was higher than the allowable limit and the CofG was out of permissible limits, reducing the aircraft's performances and its maneuverability,
- The pilots did not have sufficient experience in instrument flight conditions,
- The lack of clear procedures within the operator,
- The lack of supervision from the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority regarding the activities of the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Arecuna

Date & Time: Mar 5, 2006 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-1149C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Porlamar – Canaima
MSN:
208B-0669
YOM:
1998
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Porlamar on a charter flight to Canaima with two crew and 11 passengers on board, all from the Czech Republic. While in cruising altitude, the engine failed. The aircraft continued to fly for 12 minutes when the crew attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft struck the ground and came to rest upside down. Both pilots were slightly injured while all passengers escaped unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in North Myrtle Beach: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2006 at 2045 LT
Registration:
N266EB
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Trenton - North Myrtle Beach
MSN:
BB-266
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3400
Aircraft flight hours:
8154
Circumstances:
The multi-engine airplane rolled inverted and dove into the ground on a landing approach. According to witnesses, the airplane made two approaches to runway 23. During the first approach the airplane was observed, "fish tailing" while about 30' feet over the runway. The airplane appeared to regain control and continued flying over the runway until passing the air traffic control tower, at which time the airplane began a climbing left turn. The witnesses stated that they heard the pilot tell the air traffic controller that he was doing a go-around. The controller asked the pilot if he had problems with the sea fog. The pilot responded back to the controller "no that his left engine kept power up a little too much and would not come back." The witnesses observed the airplane circle the airport to the left, and watched it line up on runway 23 for the second time. The witnesses stated that as the airplane descended to the runway and without any indication of trouble, the airplane "climbed and rolled left, went inverted and nosed down into the grass to the left of the runway and burst into flames." Examination of the airplane, airplane systems, engines, and propellers found no abnormal preimpact conditions that would have interfered with the normal operation of the airplane. No recorded radar data for the flight was located that captured the airplane's two attempted landings. Information contained in the Super King Air 200 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and FAA Approved Flight Manual (AFM) showed the stall speed with gear extended, 40-degrees flaps, and zero bank angle as 84 knots Indicated Air Speed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing approach for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Staroye: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 2005 at 2233 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P4-OIN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Voronezh - Moscow
MSN:
208B-1052
YOM:
2004
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Voronezh at 2117LT on a special flight to Moscow-Domodedovo Airport with 6 pax and 2 pilots on board, ETA Moscow 2240LT. While approaching Stupino and descending to Domodedovo Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls, poor visibility, icing conditions and turbulences. Passing Stupino at an altitude of 1,500 metres, the aircraft pitched up in an angle of 9° and at a speed of 102 knots, it nosed down 40° then entered an uncontrolled descent until it crashed at a speed of 226 knots in a wooded area located in Staroye, about 10 km from Stupino. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 8 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in icing conditions.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Privacion: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 2005 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
V3-HFO
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Belize City – Privacion
MSN:
465
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
9000
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a charter flight from Belize City to the private airstrip of Privacion desserving Blancaneaux Lodge with two US citizens in honeymoon and one pilot on board. At 1016LT, the pilot reported over La Democracia and all on board seems to be ok. While descending to Privacion Aerodrome, weather conditions deteriorated when the twin engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area located about 5 km from the destination. The wreckage was found at the end of the day in a mountainous terrain. Weather conditions deteriorated due to the tropical storm Gamma approaching Belize. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Ankeny: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 2005 at 1017 LT
Registration:
N27177
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ankeny - Emmetsburg
MSN:
31-7752065
YOM:
1977
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9400
Captain / Total hours on type:
460.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8336
Circumstances:
The twin-engine airplane was destroyed by impact with terrain about 2.5 miles northeast of the airport while returning to the airport with an engine problem. A witness reported that the FAR Part 135 on-demand passenger flight had been scheduled for a 0900 departure, but because the flight had not been confirmed, a pilot was not scheduled to fly the flight. The accident pilot arrived at the airport about 1005. A witness reported that the pilot was not in the office for more than two minutes when he "grabbed the status book," walked straight to the airplane, and boarded. A lineman serviced both engines at 0930 with oil, but failed to put the dipstick back in the right engine oil filler tube. Witnesses reported that they did not see the pilot perform a preflight. The pilot was unaware that the dipstick was left on the right wing of the airplane. The pilot taxied the airplane forward about 5 feet and abruptly stopped and shut down both engines. The pilot got out of the airplane. The lineman reported that he approached the pilot and asked what was wrong. The lineman reported that the pilot closed the oil flap door on the right engine, and said that the oil flap door had been left open. The pilot restarted the engines and departed about 1008. About three minutes after takeoff, the pilot informed departure control that he needed to return to the airport due to an oil leak. The pilot reported over the Unicom radio frequency that he was returning because he was having trouble with the right engine. Radar track data indicated that about 1013, the airplane's position was about 1.5 miles directly north of the airport about 1,800 feet msl, heading south at 126 knots calibrated airspeed (CAS). The airplane continued to fly south directly to the airport. The radar track data indicated that instead of landing on runway 18, the airplane flew over the airport, paralleling runway 18. About 1014, the airplane's position was over the airport at an altitude of about 1,460 feet msl (550 feet above ground level), heading south at about 97 knots CAS. The airplane continued to fly south past the airport, entered a left turn, and turned back to the north. The last radar return was recorded about 1016. The airplane's position was approximately 1.5 miles east of the approach end of runway 18 at an altitude of about 1,116 feet msl (344 feet agl), heading north at about 99 knots CAS. The impact site was located about 2.5 miles north of the last radar return. A witness, located about 1/4 mile from the accident site, observed the airplane flying "really low." He reported, "The motor on the plane wasn't cutting out or sputtering." Another witness reported, "The plane lifted up over power lines then went across a field about 50 to 80 ft off ground." The airplane impacted a harvested cornfield in a Page 2 of 11 CHI06FA026 steep nose-down attitude, and traveled 45 feet before stopping. The inspection of the airplane revealed that the landing gear was down, flaps were found in a 20-degree down position, and neither propeller was feathered. The post accident inspection of the airplane's engines and airframe revealed no preexisting anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to preflight the airplane, the pilot's improper in-flight decision not to land the airplane on the runway when he had the opportunity, and the inadvertent stall when the pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low. Factors that contributed to the accident were the lineman's improper servicing of the airplane when he left the oil dipstick out and the subsequent oil leak.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Aru: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 2005
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CWC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kisangani – Bunia
MSN:
2 40 09 01
YOM:
1962
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
96
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Kisangani on a flight to Bunia, carrying 96 soldiers and four crew members on behalf of the Congolese Army Forces. Upon landing at Aru Airstrip, the right main gear collapsed and the aircraft veered to the left and came to rest on the left side of the runway. Two soldiers were killed while walking into the still running propellers. Eleven people were injured.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Rotterdam

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2005 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH-DYM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rotterdam – Birmingham
MSN:
AC-523
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On 19 September 2005, the type F-Swearingen SA227-AC aircraft with registration PH-DYM was scheduled to make a charter flight from Rotterdam Airport to Birmingham Airport. Seventeen passengers and two cockpit crew members were on board. The planned departure time was 07.30 hours. The aircraft taxied to the beginning of runway 24 and lined up for take-off. During line-up, the speed levers for the engines were moved from taxi position to flight position. The nose wheel steering fault indicator lit up and the first officer, who was steering the aircraft, responded by saying that he had no nose wheel steering. The captain informed the first officer that he had forgotten to press the switch on the throttles, which activates the nose wheel steering system. The first officer then confirmed that he had nose wheel steering. With the engines in the low RPM range (taxi position, up to 70% of maximum RPM), the pilot can steer the aircraft using the rudder pedals while taxing. When the engines are operated in the high RPM selection (flight position, between 70% and 100% of the maximum RPM), the switch on the throttles, which activates the nose wheel steering system, must be pressed in during the first part of the take-off roll in order to be able to operate the nose wheel with the rudder pedal. At a speed around 50 knots, the switch which activates the nose wheel steering system is released. The aerodynamic forces of on the rudder are then sufficient to take over the steering from the nose wheel. Once take-off clearance was given by air traffic control, the first officer engaged power and started the take-off roll. He stated that once the nose wheel operating switch had been released, the aircraft almost immediately began moving towards the left hand side of the runway. He tried to use the brakes and the directional rudder, to return the aircraft to the centre of the runway. The aircraft had a speed of between 50 and 60 knots at that point. The crew rejected the take-off but could not prevent the aircraft ending up alongside the runway, on the left hand side. The captain stated that various forces influence the directional control of an aircraft during the take-off, such as wind, propeller wash, increasing air speed, etc. These forces necessitate steering corrections during the take-off. Only when the nose wheel steering system was disengaged the captain realized something was wrong. The grass area alongside the runway is lower than the runway and the ground was soft. The left landing gear sank in the soft ground first and, as a result, the aircraft decelerated heavily and the left landing gear broke off almost immediately. The tip of the left wing struck the ground. This caused a ground loop effect and turned the aircraft further left. As a consequence the right landing gear and the nose gear also broke off. Once the aircraft had come to a standstill, the captain switched off all onboard systems and cut off the fuel supply to the engines. Simultaneously, the first officer was given the task of evacuating the passengers. The passengers were calm and left the aircraft without problems via the left hand door at the front of the aircraft. A moment later, the airport fire service arrived at the location of the accident. One of the passengers was taken to hospital for a check-up; he was able to leave hospital the same morning. There was severe damage despite the relatively slow speed at which the aircraft left the runway.
Probable cause:
This accident was caused by an hydraulic leakage in the nose wheel steering system. The tyre tracks on the runway implied that the steering problem had occurred from the beginning of the take-off. The crew intervened as soon as after the nose wheel switch had been released and the nose wheel steering fault came on but were unable to prevent the aircraft leaving the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in San Juan de Manapiare: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 2005 at 1600 LT
Registration:
YV-412C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Juan de Manapiare – Puerto Ayacucho
MSN:
207-0508
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from San Juan de Manapiare, while flying in marginal weather conditions, the single engine aircraft impacted a rocky face of Mt Morrocoy located about 8 km west of San Juan de Manapiare. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP in Rome

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2005 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-AROM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lugano – Rome
MSN:
501-0042
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 15 (2,207 metres long) at Rome-Ciampino Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, collided with the localizer antenna and came to rest. While the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair, all five occupants escaped uninjured. It was raining at the time of the accident and the runway was wet.