Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Kagarkhay: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 2020 at 2026 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-71276
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kyren - Kyren
MSN:
1G207-47
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
4280
Captain / Total hours on type:
4236.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8363
Copilot / Total hours on type:
8363
Aircraft flight hours:
7382
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Kyren Airport in the afternoon with four employees of the company and two pilots. The purpose of the flight was to familiarize them with the area of ​​the planned aviation chemical works for the processing of the silkworm. As the airplane failed to return to Kyren in the evening, SAR operations were initiated, but abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft was found. More than a year later, on July 24, 2021, a group of tourist discovered the burnt wreckage near the Baikonur Pass, in a rocky area, at an altitude of 2,780 metres. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident with the An-2 RA-71276 aircraft occurred as a result of a collision with a mountain at an altitude of 2,780 metres above sea level perpendicular to the direction of the ridge with its minimum height of 2,960 metres conditions of limited visibility and the closure of mountain tops by clouds.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew took the decision to perform a flight over a mountainous area with predicted closure of the mountains by clouds and unfavorable wind conditions,
- The crew took the decision to return to the landing site through the mountain range along an unexplored and previously unused route,
- Operational fatigue of the crew due to the significant duration of working hours on the day of the accident (more than 12 hours),
- The airplane falling under the influence of descending air currents on the leeward side of a mountain slope.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 350i Super King Air on Mt Artos: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 2020 at 2245 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EM-809
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Van - Van
MSN:
FL-896
YOM:
2015
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Van-Ferit Melen Airport at 1834LT on a survey/reconnaissance mission over the province of Hakkari and Van, carrying five passengers and two pilots. At 2232LT, the crew informed ATC about his position vertical to Başkale on approach to Van-Ferit Melen Airport. Thirteen minutes later, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Artos located 30 km southwest of runway 03 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Jul 13, 2020 at 0337 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-40851
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bol’shoye Boldino - Bol’shoye Boldino
MSN:
1G174-47
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5036
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1400
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a spraying mission near the village of Kistenovo, about six km north of Bol'shoye Boldino Airfield. While flying at a low height against sunrise, the crew failed to see and avoid power cables. The single engine airplane collided with cables and a concrete post before crashing in a cornfield, bursting into flames. The copilot was killed and the captain was seriously injured. He died two days later from his injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident with the An-2 RA-40851 aircraft was the collision of the aircraft with a reinforced concrete support and power transmission lines in a controlled flight while performing the aerial application at an extremely low altitude.
The contributing factors most likely were:
- Field processing when the sun is less than 15° above the horizon and the sun's heading angle is less than 30°,
- Insufficient prudence of the PIC when performing a VFR flight for aerial application,
- Failure of the pilot to take into account the presence of artificial obstacles in the flight area,
- Lack of marking of power lines.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Lake Coeur d'Alene: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 5, 2020 at 1422 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2106K
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene
MSN:
1131
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
21173
Captain / Total hours on type:
217.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6171
Circumstances:
The float-equipped De Havilland DHC-2 was on a tour flight, and the Cessna 206 was on a personal flight. The airplanes collided in midair over a lake during day visual meteorological conditions. No radar or automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data were available for either airplane. Witnesses reported that the airplanes were flying directly toward each other before they collided about 700 to 800 ft above the water. Other witnesses reported that the Cessna was at a lower altitude and had initiated a climb before the collision. Review of 2 seconds of video captured as part of a witness’ “live” photo showed that both airplanes appeared to be in level flight before the collision. No evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction was observed with either airplane. Recovered wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with the upper fuselage of the Cessna colliding with the floats and the lower fuselage of the De Havilland. The impact angle could not be determined due to the lack of available evidence, including unrecovered wreckage. The available evidence was consistent with both pilots’ failure to see and avoid the other airplane.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane.
Final Report:

Crash of an Extra EA-400 in Vrchotovy Janovice

Date & Time: Jun 12, 2020 at 1342 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OK-EKO
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Příbram – Moravská Třebová
MSN:
17
YOM:
2001
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
336
Captain / Total hours on type:
196.00
Aircraft flight hours:
487
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Příbram Airport in the early afternoon on a private flight to Moravská Třebová. About 15 minutes into the flight, while cruising in good weather conditions, he encountered engine problems and elected to divert to Benešov Airfield. Shortly later, some cooling liquid leaked from the engine into the cabin and on the windshield, reducing the pilot's vision. He elected to make an emergency landing in a cornfield when, upon touchdown, the aircraft crashed and came to rest upside down with its right wing torn off. There was no fire. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The cause of the plane crash was a leak of coolant from the space of cylinder n°5. The leaked coolant penetrated into the cabin where it splashed the windshield. This made it impossible for the pilot to look ahead. For this reason, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne near Eatonton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 2020 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N135VE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Williston – New Castle
MSN:
31-7520024
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Copilot / Total flying hours:
15
Aircraft flight hours:
7749
Circumstances:
Before the personal instrument flight rules flight began, the pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing that indicated that instrument meteorological conditions, convective activity, and moderate-to-severe icing conditions would be occurring along the route of flight. According to track data, while the pilot was navigating to avoid weather, the pilot was using the autopilot for maneuvering. After the pilot reported to air traffic control that the airplane would be turning direct to its destination, the performance analysis of track data showed that the airplane began a slight left turn with a bank angle of about 10°, which was consistent with the intended route of flight. However, the turn then reversed, and the airplane began banking to the right, reaching about 120° right wing down during the next 70 seconds and showing a slow oscillation in pitch attitude. Satellite imagery showed that the airplane was likely in instrument meteorological conditions when it began a rapid descent, and the airplane’s descent rate was about 7,000 feet per minute. Postaccident examination of the airplane and right engine (the left engine was not recovered) revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The dynamics of the airplane’s movements after the right turn began indicated that the airplane likely was not being actively controlled when it diverted from the intended flightpath. The circumstances of this accident were thus consistent with the pilot’s lack of timely recognition that the autopilot was disengaged. The available evidence for this accident precluded a determination of where the pilot’s attention was directed while navigating direct to the destination. However, the turbulence would have increased the pilot’s workload, and the restricted visibility conditions would have prevented the pilot’s use of outside cues to detect deviations in the airplane’s attitude. Also, the initial roll rates might not have been sufficient to provide reliable cues to the pilot of the developing bank, and the convective conditions would likely have made it difficult for the pilot to detect and recover from the fully developed unusual attitude.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, which placed the airplane in an unusual attitude from which the pilot could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the convective and turbulent weather.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) near Craig: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 2020 at 2130 LT
Registration:
N601X
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
61-0393-117
YOM:
1977
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
30
Circumstances:
The student pilot, who was not qualified to operate the airplane, reportedly flew from California to Pennsylvania on a commercial flight the morning of the accident to pick up and fly the accident airplane, which he purchased, to California. The student pilot departed Pennsylvania at 0719 and made several en route stops before arriving at the departure airport at 1949. A witness stated that the airplane’s right engine quit during taxi at the last en route stop and the pilot said he "cut it a little close on fuel." Another witness said that the pilot was “really tired” and planned to fly over the mountains for his return flight. The student pilot was not in communications with air traffic control while en route from the departure airport and did not receive an instrument flight rules clearance to operate the flight in class A airspace as required by Federal Aviation Regulations. The airplane was not equipped with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast as required for flight in class A airspace. Radar track data indicate the airplane last departed from Fort Collins, Colorado, and maneuvered while climbing to 16,000 ft. The airplane proceeded west/southwest for a little over 40 miles before climbing to about 22,000 ft. The airplane then made several large heading changes and altitude changes between 20,000 ft and 23,000 ft before entering a tight looping turn to the left and losing altitude rapidly before track data was lost. All components of the airplane were distributed along the wreckage path in a manner consistent with a low-angle, high-speed impact with terrain. The airplane was destroyed. A green cylindrical tank consistent in color with an oxygen tank was separated from the airframe and was found along the wreckage path. Portions of pneumatic lines were attached to the tank and exhibited impact damage and separations from impact. Due to accident-related damage, the amount of the tank’s contents prior to the accident are unknown, and the functionality, if any, of the oxygen system is unknown. The reason for the airplane’s impact with terrain could not be determined based on available evidence.
Probable cause:
The student pilot’s flight into terrain for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAE 125-700A near La Libertad: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 2020
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N700NW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
257063
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located near La Libertad and was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots were killed. Guatemalan Authorities reported the aircraft was engaged in a contraband mission and a load of 762 kilos of cocaine was found.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster in La Crosse: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 2020 at 0919 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N274PM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wichita - Hays
MSN:
208B-0705
YOM:
1998
Flight number:
PMS1670
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
9900
Circumstances:
The pilot was conducting a Part 135 on-demand cargo flight in instrument meteorological conditions. After executing a second missed approach, he informed air traffic control (ATC) of his intentions to divert to an airport located about 36 miles to the southeast. About 7 minutes after executing the second missed approach, the pilot began making unintelligible radio communications that ATC characterized as very garbled and difficult to understand, “almost hypoxic.” ATC then instructed the pilot to utilize oxygen. About 19 minutes after the second missed approach, ATC informed the pilot that the airplane had descended 1,600 ft, not following assigned course vectors or instructions and asked if everything was alright, to which no response was received. After attempting to relay communications through other airplanes in the area, an unintelligible response was received from the accident airplane. ATC then made numerous transmissions to the accident pilot urging him to utilize oxygen and open a window. No further communications were received from the accident airplane. A witness reported that he saw the airplane descend out of a low overcast cloud layer at a high rate of descent. The airplane then abruptly transitioned into a steep climb before re-entering the clouds. A few seconds later, he heard the airplane impact terrain and responded to the accident site. The sudden change in communications from the pilot indicates a possible impairment. When combined with the ATC data, the witness account, and the lack of any mechanical irregularities or malfunctions with the airplane, it is likely the pilot experienced difficulty controlling the airplane due to impairment. While the pilot was at an increased risk for an acute cardiovascular event, the extremely limited available medical evidence leaves no way to quantify that risk and no evidence regarding whether such an event occurred. As a result, whether the pilot was incapacitated by an acute medical event cannot be determined from the available medical information.
Probable cause:
An infight loss of control as a result of pilot impairment, the cause of which could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air near Iriona: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 2020
Operator:
Registration:
HK-5075
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
BB-801
YOM:
1981
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in an illegal flight carrying two pilots and a probable load of cocaine bags. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a prairie located in a mountainous area near Iriona. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both occupants were killed.