Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Pelican

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1978 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Southeast Skyways
Registration:
N8690
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Elfin Cove - Herbert Graves Island
MSN:
811
YOM:
1955
Location:
Pelican
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5150
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the pilot entered a narrow channel at an altitude of 100 feet when he lost control of the aircraft that spiraled to the ground. The wreckage was found in the region of Pelican. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during normal cruise due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Flew to blind canyon,
- Float equipped,
- Entered narrow channel at 100 feet AGL.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Talas

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-02190
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Talas - Frunze
MSN:
112247314
YOM:
1959
Location:
Talas
Talas Province
Country:
Kyrgyzstan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the engine malfunctioned then failed. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a field. There were no injuries while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Toronto: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1978 at 0808 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
CF-TLV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ottawa - Toronto - Winnipeg - Vancouver
MSN:
47197
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
AC189
Location:
Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
102
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
25476
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 23L, at a speed of 145 knots, the crew heard a thumping noise and felt vibrations. In a meantime, the right engine power dropped and a warning light coupled to the right main gear illuminated. The copilot informed the captain about the fact that the right main gear was unsafe. At a speed of 149 knots, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. He deployed the spoilers and activated the thrust reversers systems. The airplane was unable to stop within the 1,219 meters remaining, overran at a speed of 70 knots, rolled on a distance of 139 meters then went down a 15 meters high embankment and eventually came to rest, broken in three. Two passengers were killed while 55 others were injured and 50 unhurt.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the tire n°3 located on the right main gear burst during takeoff, probably due to wear. Few rubber debris damaged various elements of the main gear while other rubber debris were thrown into the right engine, causing it to lose power and the thrust reverser system to malfunction. The decision of the captain to abandon the takeoff procedure was correct but taken too late, more than four seconds after the warning light illuminated in the cockpit. A lack of crew training in emergency situations and a lack of increased monitoring of tire wear were considered as contributing factors. It was also determined that a period of 65,7 seconds elapsed between the brake release and the immobilization of the aircraft.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Charlotte Amalie

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1978 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N323
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie - Christiansted
MSN:
1189
YOM:
1942
Location:
Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2733.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Charlotte Amalie, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft that struck rocks and came to rest by the shore. All 11 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and subsequent uncontrolled collision with water due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system: ram air assembly,
- Material failure,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Poor/inadequate design,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Carburetor airbox hot air to cold air valve linkage retaining bolt failed causing air starvation.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2P in Postavy

Date & Time: May 29, 1978
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-35188
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1G114-12
YOM:
1970
Location:
Postavy
Vitebsk voblast
Country:
Belarus
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Postavy Airfield, the crew was distracted and did not realize that the approach speed was too low. The aircraft stalled and hit an embankment located short of runway threshold before coming to rest. The aircraft was written off while all five occupants were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Crew distraction.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B in Maksatikha: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 19, 1978 at 1332 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-85169
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Baku - Leningrad
MSN:
76A169
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
SU6709
Location:
Maksatikha
Tver oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
126
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
3308
Aircraft flight cycles:
1567
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 9,600 meters on a flight from Baku to Leningrad, all three engines stopped simultaneously. Shortly later, all generators failed as well, causing the electrical system to be inoperative. Unable to maintain altitude and speed that dropped to 370 km/h, the crew attempted an emergency landing in an open field. After touchdown, the airplane slid for 1,518 meters, struck various obstacles and came to rest in flames. Four passengers were killed while 130 other occupants were rescued, some of them were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
In-flight failure of all three engines after the fuel transfer system failed while being connected on manual mode. Technical analysis were unable to determine the exact cause of the fuel transfer system failure but it is possible this was caused by the malfunction or the failure of a switch or other electrical components.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Trenton: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1978 at 2210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N98720
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bangor - Trenton
MSN:
402B-1065
YOM:
1976
Location:
Trenton
Maine
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7866
Captain / Total hours on type:
2365.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Trenton Airport, one of the engine failed. The crew decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed in flames few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure on final approach for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- PIC not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-235 off Pensacola: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1978 at 2120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
N4744
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - Melbourne - Tampa - New Orleans - Mobile - Pensacola
MSN:
19464
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
NA193
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
18109
Captain / Total hours on type:
5358.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4848
Copilot / Total hours on type:
842
Aircraft flight hours:
26720
Circumstances:
Flight 193 operated as a scheduled passenger from Miami to Pensacola, FL, with en route stops at Melbourne and Tampa, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile. About 21:02 CDT the flight departed Mobile on an IFR flight plan to Pensacola and climbed to the cruising altitude of 7,000 feet. At 21:09, the crew were told that they would be vectored for an airport surveillance radar (ASR) approach to runway 25. At 21:13, the radar controller told National 193 that it was 11 nm NW of the airport and cleared it to descend and maintain 1,700 feet. At 21:17 flaps were selected at 15° and two minutes later the flight was cleared to descend to 1,500 feet and shortly after that further down to the MDA (480 feet). As the aircraft rolled out on the final approach heading, the captain called for the landing gear and the landing final checklist. At 21:20:15, the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) whooper warning continued for nine seconds until the first officer silenced the warning. Nine seconds later the 727 hit the water with gear down and flaps at 25°. It came to rest in about 12 feet of water. The weather at the time of the accident was 400 feet overcast, 4 miles visibility in fog and haze, wind 190°/7 kts. Three passengers were killed while 55 other occupants were rescued, among them 11 were injured.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's unprofessionally conducted non precision instrument approach, in that the captain and the crew failed to monitor the descent rate and altitude, and the first officer failed to provide the captain with required altitude and approach performance callouts. The captain and first officer did not check or utilize all instruments available for altitude awareness and, therefore, did not configure the aircraft properly and in a timely manner for the approach. The captain failed to comply with the company's GPWS flightcrew response procedures in a timely manner after the warning began. The flight engineer turned off the GPWS warning 9 seconds after it began without the captain' s knowledge or consent. Contributing to the accident was the radar controller's failure to provide advance notice of the start-descent point which accelerated the pace of the crew's cockpit activities after the passage of the final approach fix.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Gazimurski Zavod: 10 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1978 at 1403 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-41921
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nerchinsk – Gazimurski Zavod
MSN:
12347308
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
SU327V
Location:
Gazimurski Zavod
Zabaykalsky Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
19656
Circumstances:
The flight from Nerchinsk to Gazimurski Zavod was completed at an altitude of 1,900 meters in marginal weather conditions. On approach to Gazimurski Zavod, the crew descended into clouds when he was facing a mountain. Engine power was added but the airplane struck tree tops in a flat attitude and crashed in a wooded area located on the slope of a mountain (1,256 meters high) located about 12 km southeast of Gazimurski Zavod. Five passengers were injured while 10 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the pilot's decision to continue the descent under VFR mode in clouds and a below minimums visibility. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Wrong altimeter setting on part of the copilot,
- Lack of assistance from weather services.

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

Date & Time: May 1, 1978
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-01367
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1G45-16
YOM:
1964
Location:
Ufa
Republic of Bashkortostan
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying in below-minima weather conditions, the aircraft struck a hill and crashed near Ufa. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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