Skydiving / Paratroopers

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Byngi - Byngi

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a local skydiving mission. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 30 metres, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. A skydiver was killed while four others and the pilot were injured.

Probable cause:

Complete engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-DK in Zephyrhills

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1993 at 1624 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N8056

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Zephyrhills - Zephyrhills

MSN:

14290/25735

YOM:

1944

Location:

Zephyrhills

Florida

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:

8500

Captain / Total hours on type:

4150.00

Aircraft flight hours:

16891

Circumstances:

The pilot stated that on initial climb, at about 400 feet agl, the crew smelled something burning, followed by light smoke in the cabin. Both engines appeared normal visually. The odor and smoke increased, and the left fire warning light illuminated. The left engine was shut down and the prop feathered. The pilot increased power on the right engine; however, the airplane would not climb or maintain airspeed. A gear and flaps up forced landing was made into a field. The pilot stated that he believed an exhaust clamp broke allowing a segment of exhaust to scorch cowling and activate the fire warning system. Examination of the left engine revealed that the lower fire detection elements were fused and broken free, and that the hydraulic lines were burned through.

Probable cause:

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain best single-engine rate-of-climb speed which resulted in a forced landing. A factor which contributed to the accident was a possible exhaust system clamp failure.

Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2T in Tushino

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1993

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

26 black

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Schedule:

Tushino - Tushino

MSN:

1G236-01

YOM:

1989

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While engaged in a skydiving mission out from Tushino Airport, the pilot started the takeoff run before all skydivers were seated, so they were thrown into the back of the cabin. At liftoff, the center of gravity was out of the envelope (too far aft). The aircraft stalled and crashed. The pilot and all 10 passengers escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

For unknown reasons, the pilot precipitated the takeoff procedure.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Hinckley: 12 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1992 at 1240 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

EXA

Registration:

N3657G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hinckley - Hinckley

MSN:

AF-461

YOM:

1951

Location:

Hinckley

Illinois

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:

3030

Captain / Total hours on type:

867.00

Aircraft flight hours:

7780

Circumstances:

After takeoff, the airplane was seen at low altitude trailing smoke from the left engine. Witnesses saw the wings 'tipping' back and forth, then a wing dropped and hit the ground. Examination revealed that a supercharger bearing had failed in the left engine. The left engine had been recently installed by non-certificated personnel after being inactive for 18 years without preservation. The airplane had flown about 184 hours since the last annual inspection; no record of subsequent 100-hr inspection. The left prop blades were found in an intermediate position between the operating range and the feathered position. The left prop was changed several weeks prior to the accident. There is no evidence that the left prop had ever been successfully cycled to the full feather position. The operator and pilots were not aware of hamilton standard SB 657 recommending full-feather checks every 30 days. Left prop feathering motor relays not recovered. All 11 parachutists were found in center part of fuselage; no evidence of restraint usage. All 12 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate maintenance and inspection by the operator which resulted in an engine power loss during the critical takeoff phase of flight. In addition, the pilot did not, or was unable to, attain a full feather position on the left engine propeller, which would have most likely enabled the airplane to sustain minimum control airspeed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider near Metapán: 14 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1992 at 0945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-123 Provider

Operator:

Registration:

FAS121

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

20192

YOM:

1955

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While flying at low height, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain, bursting into flames. All 4 crew members and 10 paratroopers were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Perris Valley: 16 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1992 at 1109 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N141PV

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Schedule:

Perris Valley - Perris Valley

MSN:

141

YOM:

1968

Location:

Perris Valley

California

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:

4300

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Aircraft flight hours:

29391

Circumstances:

The ground loader had fueled the airplane from the airport fuel truck. He stated that the flight crew did not sump the fuel tanks after they were fueled. Immediately after takeoff the right engine lost power, the right wing lowered to about 90°, and the airplane impacted the ground adjacent to the runway. Then forward fuel tank, which provides fuel to the right engine, was found to contain about 8 gallons of a heavily contaminated mixture composed of water, an emulsifying agent, and bacterial growth. The fuel from the airport fuel truck and main underground tank contained the same mixture. Fuel had been transferred from the underground tank to the truck on the evening preceding the accident. The left propeller control was found seized in the feather position; left propeller blades in the near feather position. Six skydivers were injured while 16 other occupants including both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot-in-command's inadvertent feathering of the wrong propeller following an engine power loss, and the failure of the operator to assure that the pilot was provided with adequate training in the airplane. Factors related to the accident were: water contamination of fuel in the airport storage tanks, the operator's lack of fuel quality control procedures, improper fuel servicing, improper preflight by the pilot(s), and exceeding the gross weight/forward cg limits of the airplane.

Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Jaspers Brush: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1991

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

A14-683

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Schedule:

Jaspers Brush - Jaspers Brush

MSN:

683

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

7415

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances after takeoff from Jaspers Brush Airfield. Two occupants were killed and eight others were injured.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Lobos: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1991

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

0685/4-G-1

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lobos - Lobos

MSN:

2046

YOM:

1971

Location:

Lobos

Buenos Aires province

Country:

Argentina

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The single engine aircraft was dispatched at Lobos airfield for local skydiving mission. Shortly after takeoff from a grassy runway, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. Two skydivers were seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Partenavia P.68B Victor in Kalundborg

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1991 at 1110 LT

Type of aircraft:

Partenavia P.68

Operator:

Registration:

OY-CEW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: