Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 near Leninakan: 21 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1983 at 1809 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87291
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Volgograd - Nalcik - Leninakan
MSN:
9 32 06 28
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
SU047E
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Nalcik, the crew started the descent to Leninabad Airport when he encountered limited visibility due to low clouds. At an altitude of 3,300 meters and following several navigational errors, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed flight path by 29 km. On his side, the ATC controller was unable to determine the exact position of the aircraft and cleared the crew to descent to 900 meters. While descending at an altitude of 2,523 meters at a speed of 330 km/h, the three engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Shishtepe (2,836 meters high) located about 40 km from Leninabad Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 21 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The airplane deviated from the prescribed flight path following several navigational errors on part of the flying crew. Poor ATC assistance was considered as a contributing factors as he cleared the crew to descent to the altitude of 900 meters despite he was unaware of the exact position of the aircraft. Poor flight preparation, poor approach planning and lack of crew coordination were also considered as contributing factors.

Crash of an Avro 748-329-2A in Khartoum: 17 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EL-AIH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Khartoum - Monrovia
MSN:
1755
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While completing a turn, the airplane lost height and crashed in a district located about 4 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several buildings were destroyed. The flight engineer was seriously injured while eight other occupants and nine people on ground were killed. Eight other people on the ground were injured as well.
Probable cause:
High Pressure fuel pump quillshaft broke due to pump seizure. The remaining engine produced not enough power because the fuel datum trimmer wasn't reset in accordance with the flight manual.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-8 Islander in Selawik: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1983 at 1456 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N37MN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nome - Selawik - Ambler
MSN:
558
YOM:
1977
Flight number:
XY601
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11054
Captain / Total hours on type:
1598.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6674
Circumstances:
According to the FAA specialist on duty at the Nome flight service station the pilot of Munz Northern flight 601 requested only the Ambler weather at 0030 gmt. The only surviving passenger stated that the flight departed Nome, AK at 1330 bst and as the flight continued north she could only see straight down and was nervous because the ground was so close. She further stated that the props changed their sound which related to the sound they made earlier in the flight when the aircraft climbed to clear a mountain. She also added that they were in whiteout conditions prior to impact and there were no mechanical irregularities that she was aware of. The pilot and a passenger were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) weather forecast - not obtained - pilot in command
2. (f) weather condition - whiteout
3. (c) VFR flight into IMC - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - snow
5. (c) VFR flight into IMC - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: climb
Findings
6. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410M in Poti: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1983 at 1518 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-67190
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Poti - Sukhumi
MSN:
78 11 19
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
SU070G
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
3206
Aircraft flight cycles:
6096
Circumstances:
14 seconds after liftoff from runway 10 at Poti Airport, while climbing to a height of 60 meters at a speed of 195 km/h, both engines lost 60% of power. While the power on the left engine increased to 94,5% 11 seconds later, the power on the right engine dropped to zero. The crew elected to feather the right propeller but this was not possible. The airplane lost height, started a descent and slightly turned to the right when, at a speed of 130 km/h, it struck 20 meters high trees and crashed in a wooded area located 450 meters past the runway end. Two pilots and four passengers were killed while 12 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the malfunction of the right engine was the consequence of a short-term failure of the rotor speed regulator, which forced the crew to shut down the engine and to feather the propeller. For unknown reasons, the propeller could not be feathered, causing drag that reduced the aircraft's speed and necessitating an emergency landing.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2B1 in Quelimane

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C9-BAB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Maputo - Quelimane
MSN:
20281
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
104
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Quelimane Airport was initiated by night. On final, the pilot-in-command reduced engine power to idle. At a height of 230 feet, as the airspeed dropped below the speed reference, the stick shaker activated. The captain increased engine power when the aircraft lost height and descended until it struck the ground about 400 meters short of runway. The undercarriage were torn off and the airplane slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 110 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who misjudged speed, distance and altitude on final approach. The crew failed to properly use the Visual Approach Slope Indicators which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Vanavara

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-29367
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oskoba - Vanavara
MSN:
1G78-09
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Vanavara, the aircraft lost height and crashed in a wooded area located few km from the airfield. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a NAMC YS-11A-208 in Nakashibetsu

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1983 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8693
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sapporo - Nakashibetsu
MSN:
2060
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
WJ497
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
48
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6530
Captain / Total hours on type:
2792.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4759
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1217
Aircraft flight hours:
31305
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Sapporo, the crew started the descent to Nakashibetsu Airport in marginal weather conditions. On final, while completing a last turn to the left at an angle of 30°, the aircraft struck the ground and crash landed in a snow covered field (40 cm deep snow). It slid for few dozen meters and came to rest 100 meters short of runway 23 threshold, broken in two. 31 occupants were injured and 22 other occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command misjudged altitude and distance while completing the approach in low ceiling. Improper control of the engine power was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Barquisimeto: 23 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1983 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-67C
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Caracas - Barquisimeto
MSN:
47025
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
45
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
On approach to Barquisimeto Airport, the crew encountered foggy conditions with limited visibility. On short final, the airplane descended below the glide until it struck the ground 1,015 meters short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriages were torn off and the airplane slid on its belly until it came to rest on the runway threshold, broken in two. A crew member and 22 passengers were killed while 27 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who led the aircraft passing below the glide until impact with the ground. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the crew to initiate a go-around,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate supervision of the flight,
- Lack of visibility due to fog.