Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was completing a maritime patrol flight on behalf of the Finnish Border Guards (Rajavartiolaitos). While descending to Oulu Airport, both engines stopped simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft in the Liminga Bay, few km from the airport. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Lockheed P-3C-II.5 Orion in Iwo Jima

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1992

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-3 Orion

Operator:

Registration:

5032

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

185-5032

YOM:

1963

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Belly landed at Iwo Jima Airport and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Vukovar: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1991

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

9A-BOP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

1G222-37

YOM:

1987

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While flying at low height on a survey mission, the single engine aircraft was shot down by a SAM-6 missile and crashed. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a SAM-6 missile.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Kota Kinabalu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1991

Type of aircraft:

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Operator:

Registration:

9M-PSF

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

850

YOM:

1986

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Kota Kinabalu Airport, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Pretoria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1991

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 404 Titan

Operator:

AOC Survey

Registration:

ZS-LUI

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Pretoria - Pretoria

MSN:

404-0100

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a survey mission of 4 hours and 10 minutes, the twin engine aircraft returned to Pretoria-Wonderboom Airport where it was refueled. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The pilot elected to return when the aircraft lost height, struck a tree and crashed, bursting into flames. Two occupants were killed and two others were injured.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed P-3C-150-LO Orion in the Pacific Ocean: 14 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1991 at 0215 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-3 Orion

Operator:

Registration:

158930

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Moffett - Moffett

MSN:

185-5602

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Moffett AFB on a combined survey mission over the Pacific Ocean with a second USN Orion registered 159325 carrying a crew of 13. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. Few debris were found floating on water about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and all 27 crew members were missing and never recovered.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the collision could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that both crews were dispatched to perform this mission while they were tired due to a long period of duty. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were marginal as partly cloudy at 2,000 feet over water, local thunderstorm activity and rain showers. Both crews committed negligences while cruising in formation and failed to pay attention to the exact position of the second aircraft. Also, it was reported that the crew of 159325 failed to follow the assigned heading for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed P-3C-150-LO Orion in the Pacific Ocean: 13 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1991 at 0215 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-3 Orion

Operator:

Registration:

159325

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Moffett - Moffett

MSN:

185-5615

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Moffett AFB on a combined survey mission over the Pacific Ocean with a second USN Orion registered 158930 carrying a crew of 14. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. Few debris were found floating on water about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and all 27 crew members were missing and never recovered.

Probable cause:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Borsengir: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1990 at 1315 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-19725

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Zhezkazgan - Karakain - Borsengir - Zhezkazgan

MSN:

1G165-39

YOM:

1975

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

6889

Aircraft flight cycles:

15402

Circumstances:

The single engine aircraft departed Zhezkazgan on a survey flight to Karakain and Borsengir, carrying three passengers and two pilots who were in charge to proceed to a visual inspection of a voltage line deserving the region. The aircraft departed Karakain at 1221LT and proceeded to Borsengir. While approaching the village of Borsengir in good weather conditions, the aircraft struck the lightning protection wires of the high voltage line and crashed, bursting into flames. Two passengers were seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Lack of vigilance on part of the crew,
- The crew failed to check his altitude while approaching Borsengir,
- Poor distinction of the lightning protection wires,
- The position of the sun affected the crew's field of vision.

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