Scheduled Revenue Flight

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Cúcuta - Arauca

MSN:

19053

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 11,200 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 30 km south of Rubio, in the Judio Mountain Range. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 28 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

For unknown reasons, the airplane was not following the correct route as mentioned on the flight plan and its altitude was insufficient. Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 off Marie-Galante: 15 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

F-OGHD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Pointe-à-Pitre - Marie-Galante

MSN:

469

YOM:

1975

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Pointe-à-Pitre on a schedule flight to the Island of Marie-Galante, carrying 19 passengers and one pilot. Weather conditions deteriorated en route and while approaching Marie-Galante, the ceiling was very low, about 200 feet above water with rain falls, turbulences and stormy conditions. While completing a slight turn to the left, the left wing tip struck the water surface. The aircraft crashed into the sea and sank by a depth of 13 meters few hundred meters offshore. Five passengers were rescued while 15 other occupants, among them the pilot, were killed. The wreckage was recovered. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or an autopilot system.

Probable cause:

In the absence of a flight data recorder (not compulsory on this type of aircraft), investigators stated that their examination of the wreck showed no evidence of a technical failure of the aircraft or of its engines or equipment prior to impact, and that the probable cause of the accident was the decision taken by the pilot to descend in cloud to try to establish visual contact with the ground or the sea. The absence of an autopilot system (it was not installed in the aircraft) was acknowledge by the commission. It was reported that the airline had requested and obtained from the French CAA an exemption to fly this aircraft with only one pilot, but the said exemption mentioned that an operative autopilot system was compulsory for all flights, which was not the case for this aircraft. Prior to the accident, the Pilot's Association had officially protested in writing about the total lack of implementation of these provisions by the airline, about the pressures exerted onto the pilots to accept such flights in the absence of ATC radar coverage, of airborne weather radar, DME and transponder equipment, together with inadequate maintenance practices.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Mareb

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

4W-ABY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

MSN:

13174

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Damaged beyond repair following a hard landing at Ma'rib Airstrip. There were no casualties.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110C Bandeirante in Bocaiúva

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PT-TBF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

MSN:

110-018

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the crew was forced to divert to Bocaiúva Airfield to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed on landing and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Napaskiak

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1978 at 0920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N18AA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Napaskiak - Bethel

MSN:

207-0406

YOM:

1977

Location:

Napaskiak

Alaska

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1400

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Circumstances:

While taking off at Napaskiak Airfield, the engine failed. The aircraft crash landed, struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. All seven occupants escaped uninjured or with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Soft runway.

Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Saratov: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1978 at 0900 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-05706

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Balashov - Saratov

MSN:

1G153-19

YOM:

1973

Flight number:

SU481

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

3208

Circumstances:

While descending to Saratov-Tsentralny Airport, the crew contacted ATC and was cleared to continue the approach. In poor visibility due to bad weather (low clouds and rain falls), the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 4,5 km west of the airport. Due to poor weather conditions, rescuers arrived on scene at 2200LT in the evening. The copilot and an illegal passenger were seriously injured while 14 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew continued the approach below weather minima and failed to see and avoid ground obstacles. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Wrong decision on part of ATC at Saratov Airport as the crew should be diverted to another airport and not cleared for approach,
- Information transmitted to crew regarding weather conditions and forecast were inaccurate,
- Poor flight operations conception,
- Poor flight preparation,
- Wrong decisions ont part of ATC and pilots,
- Poor weather conditions (limited visibility, low clouds, rain).

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Kirensk

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1978

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-07608

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

1G156-48

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed following an engine failure. Occupant's faite unknown.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK in Degehabur

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

ET-AGQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: