Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Plan de La Laguna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 2012 at 1125 LT
Operator:
Registration:
TG-JAB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Pedro Sula - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
500-3303
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the twin engine aircraft was flying low when it impacted tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Plan de La Laguna, in the Comayagua National Park. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R near Quellón: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 2012 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CYM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Melinka – Quellón
MSN:
31-8012016
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
10508
Aircraft flight hours:
3406
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Melinka Airport at 1200LT on a taxi flight to Quellón, carrying seven passengers and one pilot. Eight minutes later, the pilot reported his position at 6,500 feet some 20 NM south of the destination. Six minutes later, at 1214LT, he reported at 3,000 feet some 10 NM southwest of Quellón. Shortly later, radar and radio contacts were lost after the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located in the Piedra Blanca Mountain Range. The wreckage was found 15 km southwest of Quellón. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all eight occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with rain, fog and strong winds.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain following the decision of the pilot to continue the flight under VFR mode in IMC conditions.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Cloudy conditions affecting the area where the accident occurred,
- Entering IMC conditions without clearance,
- Not maintaining the flight under VFR.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 695 Jetprop Commander 980 in El Refugio: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 2012 at 2100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XC-PFB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cabo San Lucas – Mexico City
MSN:
695-95018
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in El Refugio, some 50 km west of Guadalajara, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing a flight from Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos) to Mexico City on behalf of the Federal Secretary's for Public Security. The aircraft was also registered PF-507.

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Las Varillas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 2011 at 2300 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LV-WES
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rosario – Córdoba
MSN:
61-0480-127
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
200
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1000
Aircraft flight hours:
4594
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Rosario-Islas Malvinas Airport at 2215LT on a return trip to Córdoba, carrying two pilots. Bound to the northwest at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the crew was cleared to descend to 6,000 feet few minutes after takeoff. At 2242LT, the crew reported his position over Ubrel. Twenty minutes later, at 2300LT, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located 6 km from Las Varillas. The wreckage was found the following morning. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control while in cruising altitude after the aircraft was flying in the vicinity of a multicell with convective activity, due to the combination of the following factors:
• Incorrect appreciation of the evolution of the meteorological conditions en route,
• Inadequate flight planning,
• Self-induced complacency,
• Inadequate risk assessment for meteorological hazards.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in the Caribbean Sea

Date & Time: Nov 24, 2011 at 0823 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N534P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aguadilla - Saint George
MSN:
46-36423
YOM:
2007
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2175
Captain / Total hours on type:
643.00
Aircraft flight hours:
215
Circumstances:
While delivering the single-engine, turbine-powered airplane to Brazil during a multiple leg trip, the pilot decided to fly direct from his departure airport in Puerto Rico to his destination airport in Grenada instead of following the island chain and staying within power-off gliding distance of the shore. During the cruise portion of the flight, a total loss of engine power occurred over open water in visual meteorological conditions at 27,000 feet, about 119 miles west of a suitable landing area. During the loss of power, the engine torque indication dropped from the cruise power setting to 0 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of torque, the engine then began to vibrate, and smoke began emanating from the engine. The pilot ditched the airplane, it sank, and it was not recovered. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were rescued by a French Navy helicopter. The pilot said that he had decided to take a direct route instead of staying closer to the island chain between the two airports because he had ferried 3 airplanes down to Brazil in the last year and that it was a judgment call and a calculated risk because the engine was reliable. At the airplane’s planned operating altitude of 27,000 feet, the airplane could have glided about 54 miles; if the route had been planned to take advantage of this glide distance, the pilot could have remained off shore island chain and taken a shorter, although not direct, route. Review of fueling documentation, the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and statements made by the pilot and pilot-rated passenger also revealed that on the accident flight, good operating practices were disregarded. For instance, during fueling, the airplane which was not equipped with fuel heaters, had been topped off with fuel, but no fuel icing additive had been added, even though the pilot was planning to operate the airplane at 27,000 feet. The airplane was also operated in excess of the manufacturer's published weight limitations, and no power setting or performance information was available for climb and cruise operations in excess of these limitations. Furthermore, according to the pilot, before the loss of engine power, the torque was about 937 ft-lbs. According to the pilot-rated passenger, before the failure, the torque gauge was indicating about 980 ft-lbs. Review of the maximum cruise performance chart in the POH and Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revealed that both of the stated torque settings exceeded the maximum torque setting listed on the chart. Operating the engine beyond the recommended power settings specified in the POH/AFM for a prolonged period will result in accelerated deterioration due to hot section component distress and will affect engine reliability and durability.
Probable cause:
The total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to comply with the airplane and engine limitations, and his decision to fly over water beyond power-off gliding distance from shore.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2T Islander in Dhorpatan: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 2011 at 1906 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RAN-49
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Nepalgunj – Kathmandou
MSN:
2191
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was performing an ambulance flight from Nepalgunj to the capital city Kathmandu with a patient, one accompanist, two doctors, a nurse and a pilot on board. It crashed in unknown circumstances in a hilly and wooded terrain near Dhorpatan, killing all six occupants.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Zasovskaya

Date & Time: Oct 9, 2011 at 1128 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-81514
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Zasovskaya - Zasovskaya
MSN:
1G208-14
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Aircraft flight hours:
6449
Aircraft flight cycles:
30385
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a spraying mission on sunflower plantations in Zasovskaya. While flying at a height of about 20 metres, preparing for a new low pass, the single engine aircraft collided with power cables, stalled and crashed upside down in an open field, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident without casualties to the plane An-2 RA-81514 was a violation of the established safe obstacle clearance in the performance of aviation-chemical works, which led to a collision with the lightning protection wire transmission line and the ground. A contributing factor was the performance of an incomplete flight crew. According to the An-2 Flight Manual the minimum crew for aerial chemical works is the commander of the aircraft and a copilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Lutsel K'e: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 2011 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GATV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yellowknife - Lutsel K'e
MSN:
208B-0308
YOM:
1992
Flight number:
8T200
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1950
Circumstances:
The Air Tindi Ltd. Cessna 208B Caravan departed Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, at 1103 Mountain Daylight Time under visual flight rules as regularly scheduled flight Air Tindi 200 (8T200) to Lutsel K'e, Northwest Territories. When the aircraft did not arrive at its scheduled time, a search was initiated, and the aircraft was found 26 nautical miles west of Lutsel K'e, near the crest of Pehtei Peninsula. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and two passengers were seriously injured. There was no post-impact fire, and no emergency locator transmitter signal was received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre or search aircraft.
Probable cause:
Findings as to causes and contributing factors:
The aircraft was flown at low altitude into an area of low forward visibility during a day VFR flight, which prevented the pilot from seeing and avoiding terrain.
The concentrations of cannabinoids were sufficient to have caused impairment in pilot performance and decision-making on the accident flight.
Findings as to risk:
Installation instructions for the ELT did not provide a means of determining the necessary degree of strap tightness to prevent the ELT from being ejected from its mount during an accident. Resultant damages to the ELT and antenna connections could preclude transmission of an effective signal, affecting search and rescue of the aircraft and occupants.
Flying beyond gliding distance of land without personal floatation devices on board exposes the occupants to hypothermia and/or drowning in the event of a ditching.
Other findings:
Earlier on the day of the accident, the pilot flew the route from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife in cloud on a visual flight rules flight plan in controlled airspace.
With the ELT unable to transmit a useable signal, the SkyTrac system in C GATV was instrumental in locating the accident site. This reduced the search time, and allowed for timely rescue of the seriously injured survivors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 200 near Bohorok: 18 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 2011 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-TLF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Medan - Kuta Cane
MSN:
88N/283
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
NBA823
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Captain / Total flying hours:
5935
Captain / Total hours on type:
3730.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1100
Aircraft flight hours:
11329
Aircraft flight cycles:
13626
Circumstances:
On 29 September 2011, a CASA 212-200 aircraft registered PK-TLF was being operated by Nusantara Buana Air as a non-scheduled passenger flight from Polonia International Airport (MES/WIMM), Medan - North Sumatera1 to Alas Leuser Airstrip Kuta Cane, South East Aceh. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) The aircraft departed from Medan at 0728 LT (0028 UTC) and scheduled to be arrived at Kuta Cane at 0058 UTC. There were 18 person on board consisted of two pilots and 16 passengers including two children and two infants. The aircraft radar target was last observed on the radar screen at about 0050 UTC, while at position on radial 262˚ and 35 NM from MDN VOR. The aircraft was found impacted to a of 70º slope terrain at 5,055 feet altitude in the Leuser Mountain National Park, direction of 109 and 16 Nm from Kuta Cane on coordinate N 030 24’ 00” E 0980 01’ 00”. All 18 occupants were fatally injured and the aircraft was severely damage.
Probable cause:
Factors:
1. The flight was in VFR however both pilots agreed to fly into the cloud, consequently, the flight crew had lack of situation awareness due to lost of visual references to the ground and no or late recovery action prior to impact due to low visibility.
2. There was lack of good crew coordination due to steep cockpit transition gradient.
3. There was no checklist reading and crew briefing.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3T Turbo Otter near Kodiak: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 2011 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N361TT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Old Harbor - Kodiak
MSN:
361
YOM:
1960
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
280.00
Aircraft flight hours:
14634
Circumstances:
According to a passenger who was seated in the front, right seat, as the flight progressed toward the destination, the pilot decided to make an unscheduled landing at a lake that was surrounded by rising terrain. The passenger said that after making an easterly approach to the lake, before touching down, the pilot initiated a go-around. The passenger said they flew low over the surface of the lake toward a “V” shaped notch formed by a creek with hills on either side at the east end of the lake. He said that while flying through the notch, he thought the left wing of the airplane had hit the hillside. He said the pilot reacted by pulling back hard on the control yoke and rolling the airplane to the right. The airplane entered a steep climb, it began to shake, and stall warning horn sounded. The airplane then rolled left into a steep descent and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. The airplane’s left wing had impacted a tree on the creek bank prior to the crash. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicological tests detected the pilot’s recent use of over-the-counter medications used for relief of cold and flu symptoms. Two of these medications are sedating. The use of these sedating medications on the day of the accident or the underlying illness may have affected the pilot’s performance. Given the lack of mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and the passenger's account of the accident, it is likely the pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance with a tree while performing a low altitude maneuver following a go-around.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during a low altitude maneuver and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of over-the-counter sedating medications.
Final Report: