Crash of a Beechcraft RC-12K Guardrail in Wiesbaden

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2010 at 1540 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
85-0155
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wiesbaden - Wiesbaden
MSN:
FE-9
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Wiesbaden-Erbenheim AFB on a local training flight. On approach, technical problem forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing in a cornfield 200 metres short of runway. Both pilots were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Puerto Barrios: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 2010 at 1050 LT
Registration:
N430LA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Guatemala City – Rio Dulce
MSN:
31-7405446
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine departed Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport at 0930LT on a flight to Rio Dulce with two pilots on board. En roue, the crew contacted ATC, modified his flight plan and was cleared to continue direct to Puerto Barrios. Following few touch-and-go manoeuvres at Puerto Barrios Airport, the crew completed a new approach and landing on runway 12. The pilot-in-command increased engine power and took off when he lost control of the airplane that crashed on a road, coming to rest upside down. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an unstabilized approach. The failure of the crew to initiate a go-around procedure was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Ontario

Date & Time: Jun 10, 2010 at 1627 LT
Registration:
N121HJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Monica – Lake Havasu
MSN:
46-8508105
YOM:
1985
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
850
Captain / Total hours on type:
1.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5735
Copilot / Total hours on type:
192
Aircraft flight hours:
4803
Circumstances:
The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight with a certified flight instructor (CFI). During the climb-to-cruise phase of the flight, as the airplane was ascending through 16,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the pilot noticed a reduction in manifold pressure. He advanced the throttle and observed an increase of one or two inches of manifold pressure. Shortly thereafter, the pilot heard a loud bang originate from the engine followed by an immediate loss of engine power. The pilot and CFI attempted to troubleshoot the engine anomalies and noted that it seemed to respond with the low boost "on", however it began to run rough whenever the throttle was advanced more than half way. They diverted to a nearby airport and conducted an emergency descent. As the airplane approached the airport, the pilot descended through an overcast cloud layer and attempted to enter the airport traffic pattern. While on final approach to the airport, the pilot thought the airplane was high and extended the landing gear and applied flaps. Shortly thereafter, the airspeed and altitude decreased drastically and the pilot realized he was too low. The pilot applied throttle and noticed no change in engine performance. The airplane subsequently struck a fence and landed hard in an open field just short of the airport, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the induction elbow for cylinders 1-3-5 (right side) was displaced from the throttle and metering assembly where the elbow couples with the throttle and metering assembly by an induction hose and clamp. The clamp was secure to the induction hose, however, the portion of the clamp that should have been installed
beyond the retention bead on the throttle and control assembly was observed on the inboard side of the bead on the induction elbow. Review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks revealed that cylinders 4 and 5 were recently replaced prior to the accident flight due to low compression. The replacement of these cylinders required removal of the induction system to allow for cylinder removal and installation. In addition, a manufacturer service bulletin stated that during the reinstallation of the induction system, one must slide the induction hose and clamp(s) onto one of the tubes to be joined and that the connection joint and both tube beads are to be positioned in the center of the induction hose. The clamps should be installed in a position centered between the tubing bead and end of the induction hose.
Probable cause:
A loss of engine power due to the in-flight separation of the 1-3-5 cylinder induction tube elbow, which was caused by the improper installation of the induction tube elbow by maintenance personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke in Edenton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 2010 at 1932 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7022D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Edenton - Edenton
MSN:
P-13
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1558
Captain / Total hours on type:
343.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
30000
Aircraft flight hours:
3562
Circumstances:
The pilot was receiving instruction and an instrument proficiency check (IPC) from a flight instructor. Following an hour of uneventful instruction, the IPC was initiated. During the first takeoff of the IPC, the pilot was at the flight controls, and the flight instructor controlled the throttles. Although the pilot normally set about 40 inches of manifold pressure for takeoff, the flight instructor set about 37 inches, which resulted in a longer than expected takeoff roll. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of less than 100 feet, with the landing gear extended, the flight instructor retarded the left throttle at 83 to 85 knots indicated airspeed; 85 knots was the minimum single engine control speed for the airplane. The pilot attempted to advance the throttles, but was unable since the flight instructor’s hand was already on the throttles. The airplane veered sharply to the left and rolled. The pilot was able to level the wings just prior to the airplane colliding with trees and terrain. The pilot reported that procedures for simulating or demonstrating an engine failure were never discussed. Although the flight instructor’s experience in the accident airplane make and model was not determined, he reported prior to the flight that he had not flown that type of airplane recently. The flight instructor was taking medication for type II diabetes. According to his wife, the flight instructor had not experienced seizures or a loss of consciousness as a result of his medical condition.
Probable cause:
The flight instructor’s initiation of a simulated single engine scenario at or below the airplane’s minimum single engine control speed, resulting in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to set full engine power during the takeoff roll and the flight instructor’s lack of recent experience in the airplane make and model.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner near Morganton: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 2010 at 1525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
165513
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pensacola - Pensacola
MSN:
282-66
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew departed Pensacola NAS, Florida, for a training flight. En route, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located 8 km northeast of Morganton. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-120ER Brasília in Darwin: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 2010 at 1009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ANB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Darwin - Darwin
MSN:
120-116
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8217
Captain / Total hours on type:
3749.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5664
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3085
Aircraft flight hours:
32799
Aircraft flight cycles:
33700
Circumstances:
Aircraft crashed moments after takeoff from runway 29 at Darwin Airport, Northern Territory, fatally injuring both pilots. The flight was for the purpose of revalidating the command instrument rating of the pilot under check and was under the command of a training and checking captain, who occupied the copilot’s seat. The takeoff included a simulated engine failure. Data from the aircraft’s flight recorders was used to establish the circumstances leading to the accident and showed that the pilot in command (PIC) retarded the left power lever to flight idle to simulate an engine failure. That introduced a simulated failure of the left engine and propeller autofeathering system. The increased drag from the ‘windmilling’ propeller increased the control forces required to maintain the aircraft’s flightpath. The pilot under check allowed the speed to decrease and the aircraft to bank toward the inoperative engine. Additionally, he increased power on the right engine, and engaged the yaw damper in an attempt to stabilize the aircraft’s flight. Those actions increased his workload and made control of the aircraft more difficult. The PIC did not restore power to the left engine to discontinue the manoeuvre. The few seconds available before the aircraft became uncontrollable were insufficient to allow ‘trouble shooting’ and deliberation before resolving the situation.
Probable cause:
• The pilot in command initiated a simulated left engine failure just after becoming airborne and at a speed that did not allow adequate margin for error.
• The pilot in command simulated a failure of the left engine by selecting flight idle instead of zero thrust, thereby simulating a simultaneous failure of the left engine and its propeller autofeather system, instead of a failure of the engine alone.
• The pilot under check operated the aircraft at a speed and attitude (bank angle) that when uncorrected, resulted in a loss of control.
• The pilot under check increased his workload by increasing torque on the right engine and selecting the yaw damper.
• The pilot in command probably became preoccupied and did not abandon the simulated engine failure after the heading and speed tolerance for the manoeuvre were exceeded and before control of the aircraft was lost.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90GTi King Air in Les Éplatures

Date & Time: Jan 15, 2010 at 1407 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HB-GPL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Les Éplatures - Dole
MSN:
LJ-1936
YOM:
2009
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
920
Captain / Total hours on type:
62.00
Aircraft flight hours:
89
Aircraft flight cycles:
68
Circumstances:
The crew was departing Les Eplatures Airport on a training flight to Dole-Tavaux, Jura. During the takeoff roll on runway 24, the pilot-in-command realized that the aircraft' speed did not increase after 88 knots then dropped to 85 knots. He decided to reject the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and collided with concrete blocks and the ILS equipment. All four occupants were injured, two seriously. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a collision with obstacles after the runway end due to a late take off run interruption decision, most probably due to an involuntary braking action on behalf of the pilot.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor pilot experience on this aircraft model.
- Inadequate take off configuration (flaps).
- Initial multi engine training performed on a different aircraft model.
- Pilot not familiarized with short runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed KC-130J Hercules in Pisa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 2009 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM62176
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pisa - Pisa
MSN:
5497
YOM:
2000
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Pisa-San Giusto-Galileo Galilei Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed on a railway road located 3 km southwest of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forced and a post crash fire and all five occupants from the 46th Squadron were killed.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-142MZ in the Tatar Strait: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 2009 at 2119 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
55 red
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mongokhto AFB - Mongokhto AFB
MSN:
0 60 41 75
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Following a training flight over the Okhotsk Sea, the four engine was returning to its base at Mongokhto AFB. While descending by night, the aircraft crashed in the Tatar Strait between the Island of Sakhalin and the Sikhote-Alin region. Some debris were found about 15 km off Sadinga Cape. All 11 occupants were killed.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD Simorgh in Varamin: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 2009 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5-8208
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tehran - Tehran
MSN:
00834 84542
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew departed Tehran-Mehrabad Airport for a local training mission. While cruising south of the capital city, the crew declared an emergency following an engine failure and elected to return. During the emergency descent to runway 29L, the radome located on the roof detached and hit the tail. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in an open field located near Varamin. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all seven occupants were killed. It is believed that the radome detached because the aircraft' speed exceeded its certification during the emergency descent.