Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander off Rarotonga: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1991 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FCN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Aitukaki - Rarotonga
MSN:
676
YOM:
1972
Location:
Rarotonga
All Cook Islands
Country:
Cook Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Aitukaki to Rarotonga on behalf of Avaiki Air, carrying eight passengers and two pilots. On final approach by night, at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea few km offshore. The aircraft quickly sank by a depth of about 2,400 metres and the wreckage was not recovered. Three passengers and one pilot were rescued while six others occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. The loss of control occurred during a VFR approach by night in excellent weather conditions.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander in Olpoi: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1991 at 1240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-RV4
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Olpoi - Luganville
MSN:
220
YOM:
1970
Location:
Olpoi
All Vanuatu
Country:
Vanuatu
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Seven minutes after takeoff from Olpoi Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located few km from the airstrip. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot, who was inexperienced in low flight operations over mountainous terrain, modified his route after takeoff to allow the passengers, students in forestry, to observe the local forets. The pilot lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 400M in In Guezzam

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
7T-VRM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tamanrasset – In Guezzam
MSN:
10496
YOM:
1973
Location:
In Guezzam
Tamanrasset
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
22482
Aircraft flight cycles:
15371
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at In Guezzam Airport. Upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP in Urai: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1991
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-01494
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Urai - Sovetskiy
MSN:
1G232-28
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
461
Location:
Urai
Tyumen oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
1701
Aircraft flight cycles:
1818
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Urai Airstrip, while climbing to a height of about 10 metres, the engine lost power and failed. The aircraft lost altitude then crashed at a speed of 60 km/h in a wooded and swampy area located 900 metres further, bursting into flames. One pilot was killed while 12 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by corrosion of a motion rod of the discharge valve on the n°4 cylinder.

Crash of a Beechcraft C99 Airliner in Birmingham: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1991 at 1812 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
L'Express Airlines
Registration:
N7217L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Mobile - Birmingham
MSN:
U-226
YOM:
1984
Flight number:
LEX502
Location:
Birmingham
Alabama
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Captain / Total flying hours:
4141
Captain / Total hours on type:
553.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1545
Copilot / Total hours on type:
170
Aircraft flight hours:
9127
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed into houses while on an ILS approach to runway 05 at the Birmingham Airport. The weather briefing data that the captain received in Mobile was accurate, advising him to expect thunderstorms in the Birmingham area. Birmingham atis information whiskey and xray, mentioning thunderstorms, was also accurate, and the flight crew heard them, as well as information from the approach controller that the airport was experiencing thunderstorm activity. The captain and a passenger survived while 13 other occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
The decision of the captain to initiate and continue an instrument approach into clearly identified thunderstorm activity, resulting in a loss of control of the airplane from which the flight crew was unable to recover and subsequent collision with obstacles and the terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 200 in Bellavista: 15 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1991 at 1650 LT
Type of aircraft:
Casa 212 Aviocar
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1218
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bellavista - Pucallpa
MSN:
232
YOM:
1982
Location:
Bellavista-Huallaga
San Martín
Country:
Peru
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While parked at Bellavista-Huallaga Airport, the crew was stopped by seven local police officers who suspected narcotic traffic. In a certain confusion, the crew ignored the police instructions and elected to takeoff. Shortly after rotation, while climbing to a height of 20 meters, the aircraft was hit by several bullets shot by the policemen. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed by the runway. All 15 occupants were killed. It was later determined that the captain was killed instantly while the copilot died one hour after the accident as five bullets were found in his body.
Probable cause:
Shot down by local police officers. At the time of the crash, all policemen were intoxicated and elected to stop the airplane as they suspected narcotic traffic.

Crash of a BAc 111-402AP in Sokoto: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1991 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAc 111
Operator:
Registration:
5N-AOW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lagos - Kano
MSN:
094
YOM:
1967
Location:
Sokoto
Sokoto
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
35860
Aircraft flight cycles:
39057
Circumstances:
En route from Lagos to Kano, the crew was informed that a landing at Kano Airport was impossible due to poor weather conditions. The crew diverted to Sokoto but weather was also poor over there so ATC instructed the crew to follow a holding pattern as the airport was closed to traffic. After few dozen minutes, the crew informed ATC about fuel shortage, reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft landed in an open field located 6 km east from Sokoto Airport, lost its undercarriage and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. Four passengers were killed, 24 people were injured and 25 others escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Chara

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1991
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-07169
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chara – Sredniye Kalar
MSN:
1G145-58
YOM:
1973
Location:
Chara
Zabaykalsky Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Chara to Sredniye Kalar, while cruising at an altitude of 2,900 meters, the engine lost power intermittently. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. All four occupants escaped unhurt while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Partial engine failure after the fuel pump had been clogged by dirt.

Crash of a Boeing 727-281 in Daegu

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1991 at 1841 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
HL7350
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jeju - Daegu
MSN:
20469
YOM:
1970
Location:
Daegu
Daegu (대구)
Country:
South Korea
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
120
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Daegu Airport, the crew failed to follow the approach checklist and did not select gear down. An alarm sounded in the cockpit but the crew thought this was an error and pulled out the circuit breaker so the alarm stopped. Despite the situation, the crew failed to double check the three landing gear lights that remained red and continued the approach when the aircraft landed on its belly before coming to rest. All 127 occupants were evacuated, among them 7 passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Belly landing after the crew failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to select gear down.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Lukla

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1991 at 1010 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
9N-ABA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kathmandu - Lukla
MSN:
301
YOM:
1971
Location:
Lukla-Tenzing-Hillary
Sagarmatha
Country:
Nepal
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Lukla Airport, weather conditions deteriorated and the captain decided to go-around and to follow a holding pattern. Few minutes later, as he thought weather conditions improved, he decided to attempt to land and initiated a second approach. On short final, the aircraft entered a layer of low clouds and the aircraft was not properly aligned when it struck the runway surface and bounced. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in a ravine. All 17 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Subscribe to Scheduled Revenue Flight