Country
Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander in the Pacific Ocean
Date & Time:
Dec 2, 1994 at 1548 LT
Registration:
N16VM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Majuro - Honolulu
MSN:
2204
YOM:
1989
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2359
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was supposed to ferry the aircraft from Majuro, Marshall Islands, to Honolulu, Hawaii. About two hours into the flight, while cruising at the altitude of 7,000 feet, the pilot informed ATC about engine problems and decided to return to Majuro. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot was forced to ditch the aircraft about 320 km northeast of Majuro Atoll. A pilot who was flying in a second aircraft was able to give the exact position and the pilot was rescued 20 hours later. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
The left engine failed in flight for unknown reasons and the pilot was forced to feather its propeller. Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in the Pacific Ocean
Date & Time:
Feb 14, 1989 at 1200 LT
Registration:
N41169
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pago Pago - Norfolk Island
MSN:
31-8452009
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
During cruise flight, the right engine suddenly lost oil pressure. The pilot could see that oil was coming out of the engine area. The pilot shut the engine down. Due to high gross weight, the airplane was unable to maintain altitude on the remaining engine. The airplane was ditched in the ocean and not recovered. The pilot was rescued a day later.
Probable cause:
Loss of oil pressure due to unknown circumstances. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the overweight condition of the airplane necessitated by overwater fuel requirements.
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) fluid, oil - no pressure
2. 1 engine
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
3. (c) aircraft performance, engine out capability - exceeded
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
4. Terrain condition - water, rough
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) fluid, oil - no pressure
2. 1 engine
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
3. (c) aircraft performance, engine out capability - exceeded
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
4. Terrain condition - water, rough
Final Report:
Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander near Desert Center: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 31, 1987 at 1330 LT
Registration:
N25MR
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
El Paso - Santa Paula
MSN:
881
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
3.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1119
Circumstances:
The pilot was hired to ferry an Islander from El Paso, TX to Santa Paula, CA. He represented himself to the ferry company as being an experienced Islander pilot. No previous Islander flight time was found in the pilot's logbook. It was the pilot's 40th birthday and he was anxious to complete the flight. He neither filed flight plans nor had current charts. Approaching the Chiriaco summit area along I-10 the terrain rose and a ground-based witness reported clouds were low. The pilot continued the westbound flight. Evidence indicated an overstressed aircraft and an in-flight breakup. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. Terrain condition - rising
3. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
4. (f) self-induced pressure - pilot in command
5. Lack of total experience in type of aircraft - pilot in command
6. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded - pilot in command
7. Wing - separation
8. Flight control surfaces/attachments - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. Terrain condition - rising
3. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
4. (f) self-induced pressure - pilot in command
5. Lack of total experience in type of aircraft - pilot in command
6. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded - pilot in command
7. Wing - separation
8. Flight control surfaces/attachments - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:
Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Lanseria: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 24, 1985
Registration:
N302SP
Survivors:
No
MSN:
404-0840
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lanseria Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported engine problems and elected to return. Shortly later, the aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airfield. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
