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

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-67130
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Bajkovo
MSN:
80 03 26
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On approach to Bajkovo Airfield under VFR mode, the crew encountered poor visibility with local fog banks. At an altitude of about 300 metres, while flying in fog, the twin engine aircraft struck a hill and crashed 5 km from the airstrip. A propeller detached and penetrated the fuselage, killing one passenger. All other occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the approach under VFR mode in below minima weather conditions. It was also reported that the aircraft departed Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport with a total weight of 262 kilos above MTOW.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Grenada

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1992 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EC-BYH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Madrid - Granada
MSN:
47556
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
AO231
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
94
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew completed the approach to runway 09 with a tailwind component of 11 knots. The aircraft landed hard 50 metres past the runway threshold, bounced and landed hard a second time 360 metres further. All tires burst and the fuselage broke in two between sections 756 and 760. The aircraft came to rest and all 99 occupants were evacuated, among them 26 were injured, four seriously. A positive acceleration of 4,49 g was recorded on the first impact and 4,79 g on the second impact.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Magadan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-55607
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Evensk - Magadan
MSN:
1 126 473 19
YOM:
1959
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching Magadan on a flight from Evensk, weather conditions deteriorated with low clouds and heavy snow falls. The crew decided to continue and due to strong winds, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed route. While flying in clouds at an altitude of 885 metres, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near the Cheka River mouth, about 60 km northeast of Magadan. Four occupants were injured and the captain was killed.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to low clouds and heavy snow falls. The crew failed to return and did not realize his was off course by 26 km due to limited visibility.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15 in Tumaco

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2864X
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Cali – Tumaco – Pasto
MSN:
45721
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
RS201
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
88
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Tumaco-La Florida Airport, at a height of about 100 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and struck the runway surface. The crew was able to complete the braking procedure, vacated the runway and stopped the aircraft on the apron. All 92 occupants evacuated when the right wing partially failed. Few passengers were injured and the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that on short final, during the last segment, the copilot inadvertently extended the spoilers, causing the aircraft to enter a rapid descent until it impacted the runway surface with a positive acceleration that exceeded its certification. Presence of corrosion in the wing's root was reported as a contributing factor. Lack of crew coordination and poor planned approach also contributed to the mishap.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 4000 in New York: 27 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1992 at 2135 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N485US
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jacksonville – New York – Cleveland
MSN:
11235
YOM:
1986
Flight number:
US405
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
47
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Captain / Total flying hours:
9820
Captain / Total hours on type:
2200.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4507
Copilot / Total hours on type:
29
Aircraft flight hours:
12462
Aircraft flight cycles:
16280
Circumstances:
USAir flight 405 was scheduled to depart Jacksonville, FL (JAX) at 16:35 but was given a ground delay because of poor weather in the New-York-LaGuardia (LGA) area and was further delayed in order to remove the baggage of a passenger who chose to deplane. The Fokker F-28 jet departed Jacksonville at 17:15 and was cleared into the LaGuardia area without significant additional delays. The first officer accomplished an ILS approach to LaGuardia's runway 04 to minimums and initiated braking on the landing roll. Ramp congestion delayed taxiing to the parking gate. The airplane was parked at Gate 1 at approximately 19:49, 1 hour and 6 minutes behind schedule. After the airplane was parked at Gate 1, the line mechanic who met the flight was advised by the captain that the aircraft was "good to go." The captain left the cockpit and the first officer prepared for the next leg to Cleveland , OH (CLE) that had originally been scheduled to depart at 19:20. Snow was falling as the F-28 was prepared for departure. The airplane was de-iced with Type I fluid with a 50/50 water/glycol mixture, using two trucks. After the de-icing, about 20:26, one of the trucks experienced mechanical problems and was immobilized behind the airplane, resulting in a pushback delay of about 20 minutes. The captain then requested a second de-icing of the airplane. The airplane was pushed away from the gate to facilitate de-icing by one de-icing truck. The second de-icing was completed at approximately 21:00. At 21:05:37, the first officer contacted the LaGuardia ground controller and requested taxi clearance. The airplane was cleared to taxi to runway 13. At 21:07:12, the flightcrew switched to the LaGuardia ground sequence controller, which they continued to monitor until changing to the tower frequency at 21:25:42. The before-takeoff checklist was completed during the taxi. Engine anti-ice was selected for both engines during taxi. The captain announced that the flaps would remain up during taxi, and he placed an empty coffee cup on the flap handle as a reminder. The captain announced they would use US Air's contaminated runway procedures that included the use of 18 degrees flaps. They would use a reduced V1 speed of 110 knots. The first officer used the ice (wing) inspection light to examine the right wing a couple of times. He did not see any contamination on the wing or on the black strip and therefore did not consider a third de-icing. Flight 405 was cleared into the takeoff and hold position on runway 13 at 21:33:50. The airplane was cleared for takeoff at 21:34:51. The takeoff was initiated and the first officer made a callout of 80 knots, and, at 21:35:25, made a V1 callout. At 21:35:26, the first officer made a VR callout. Approximately 2.2 seconds after the VR callout, the nose landing gear left the ground. Approximately 4.8 seconds later, the sound of stick shaker began. Six stall warnings sounded. The airplane began rolling to the left. As the captain leveled the wings, they headed toward the blackness over the water. The crew used right rudder to maneuver the airplane back toward the ground and avoid the water. They continued to try to hold the nose up to impact in a flat attitude. The airplane came to rest partially inverted at the edge of Flushing Bay, and parts of the fuselage and cockpit were submerged in water. After the airplane came to rest, several small residual fires broke out on the water and on the wreckage debris.
Probable cause:
The failure of the airline industry and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide flight crews with procedures, requirements, and criteria compatible with departure delays in conditions conducive to airframe icing and the decision by the flight crew to take off without positive assurance that the airplane's wings were free of ice accumulation after 35 minutes of exposure to precipitation following de-icing. The ice contamination on the wings resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control after lift-off. Contributing to the cause of the accident were the inappropriate procedures used by, and inadequate coordination between, the flight crew that led to a takeoff rotation at a lower than prescribed air speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in Žilina

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OK-PDI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Prague – Žilina
MSN:
85 15 27
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew completed a non precision approach to Žilina Airport in rainy conditions with a strong tailwind. As the aircraft was too long for landing, the crew decided to force the aircraft to land when it struck the runway surface and bounced to a height of 7 metres. It came down again and the nose gear touched the ground first and was torn off upon impact. Out of control, the aircraft veered to the right and came to rest in a grassy area. All nine occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who completed a non precision approach with an excessive tailwind component. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Wrong evaluation of the situation,
- Poor judgment,
- Poor crew coordination and lack of mutual checks,
- Poor approach and landing planning,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure,
- Excessive tailwind component,
- Poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227C in Acapulco

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-RSV
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
510
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All 14 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left main gear upon touchdown for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Etsouali: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1992
Operator:
Registration:
TN-ACX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Owando - Brazzaville
MSN:
452
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Owando to Brazzaville, while in cruising altitude, the crew encountered stormy weather when the aircraft lost height and crashed in a prairie. All five passengers were seriously injured and all three crew members were killed. The loss of control occurred in thunderstorm activity.

Crash of a Dornier DO228-201 in Eket

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1992 at 1056 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ARI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lagos - Eket
MSN:
8012
YOM:
1983
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
2819
Circumstances:
The Dornier 228 originated from Lagos (LOS) at 07:00 UTC. Destination was Eket. Enroute, the captain briefed his copilot that the wind was northerly at 2 knots. He decided to use runway 19. He also briefed that they would descend to the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) of 500 ft. and if they did not have the field in sight by then, they would carry out a missed approach, maintain runway heading and climb to 1,500 ft. From Lagos, they were cruising at 11,000 ft. and started the descent at about 77 nm from Port Harcourt, which was close to Eket. On clearance to 5000 ft by Port Harcourt Approach Control, the crew called Eket Control who descended them to 3,500 ft. At about 10 nm from Eket the NDB frequency was picked up and the crew informed Eket that they were leaving 3500ft for 1500. When the aircraft came overhead the NDB they shot the approach. On the outbound leg of 195 they turned 45° for a right procedure turn and still maintaining 1500ft. Flap 1 was selected with the speed lever set in the high RPM position. With the runway inbound on track 105 magnetic, the landing gear was selected in the down position and the aircraft was descended to 500ft. After 90 seconds into the final approach on runway 01, the co-pilot called out "runway-in-sight" but the captain thought the aircraft was high, so he announced he was overshooting, whereas, while giving evidence the co-pilot said she advised the overshoot when the ADF needle swung. Another approach was attempted. They came back to the same runway 01 to maintain the MDA and the runway was sighted from about 2 miles out at 400 feet height. The co-pilot thought the aeroplane was high and called for a missed approach. Then another landing attempt was made for runway 19. At about between 600 - 700 feet height above the approach path, the captain instructed his co-pilot "when you see the field, give me flaps 2, I am going to land". As soon as the co-pilot sighted the runway at about 2nm out, she selected flap 2. The captain descended for the field and while they came over the threshold, the speed was between 95 and 98 knots. Height above threshold was 300ft; the co-pilot felt that the aeroplane was high, but she thought that at flap 2 the aircraft was committed to land. This time the First Officer did not warn the captain though she felt that the aircraft was high. The captain said that he descended fast from 300ft with the target aim of touching down at about the 6th centre line marking from the threshold. After the touchdown, the captain applied reverse pitch but no effect of the deceleration was felt. He then moved the throttle levers to the maximum reverse position, yet there was no deceleration effect. The next action was to go on the brakes while the aircraft still had the rolling speed of about 80 knots. The captain felt that only the right brakes were effective because-the aeroplane skidded to the right; when there was no directional control, the captain said that he then used the opposite rudder for control. The commander was still fighting with the directional control when the aeroplane overran the end of the paved way at about 40 knots with the brakes still applied. The airplane sustained damage to the wheels and propellers. The fuselage was buckled just forward of the left wing leading-edge and at the fuselage/wing rear attachment point. Also the right hand side of the fuselage had bucklings at the forward section.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the failure of the crew to accord due considerations and proper planning to the prevailing weather conditions. This resulted in a long landing, which extended into the unsuccessful braking action. The contributory factor to the accident was the emergence of communication breakdown and non display of professional airmanship within the cockpit area. The crux of that discord is the company's recommendation to seat a trainee officer on the left seat for at least 100 flying hours. This decision was not verbally resisted by the senior trainee captain but the aura existed everywhere and this led to the animosity within the cockpit.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Arequipa

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1439
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Puerto Maldonado – Juliaca – Arequipa
MSN:
2 73 078 04
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft landed too far down the runway at Arequipa-Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, rolled for about 160 metres then lost its undercarriage and came to rest, broken in two. All 45 occupants were rescued, among them 11 passengers were injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who continued the landing above the glide, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway. The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.