Crash of an Airbus A310-324 off Moroni: 152 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2009 at 0154 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7O-ADJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sanaa - Moroni
MSN:
535
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
IY626
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
142
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
152
Captain / Total flying hours:
7936
Captain / Total hours on type:
5314.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3641
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3076
Aircraft flight hours:
53587
Aircraft flight cycles:
18129
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Sana'a, the crew started a night approach to Moroni-Prince Saïd Ibrahim Airport runway 02. Weather conditions were considered as good with a 10 km visibility, an OAT of 24° C. and a wind from 180° gusting to 25 knots for runway 20. For unknown reasons, the crew initiated a go-around procedure when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea about 6 km from the airport. A young girl aged 12 was found alive few hours later while 152 other occupants were killed. Both CVR and DFDR were found almost two months later at a depth of 1,200 metres. The final report was published in June 2013.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by inappropriate actions on part of the crew on flight controls which brought the aircraft into a stall that could not be recovered. These actions were successive to an unstabilized visual approach during which several alarms related to the proximity of the ground, the aircraft configuration and approach to stall sounded. Crew's attention was focused on the management of the path of the aircraft and the location of the runway, and they probably did not have enough mental resources available in this stressful situation, to respond adequately to these different alarms.
Contributing to the accident were the following factors:
- Weather conditions at the airport with winds gusting to 30 knots,
- Lack of training or pre-flight briefing of the crew in accordance with the Yemenia company operations manual, given the reluctance of the pilot to execute the MVI [Visual Maneuvering with Prescribed track] (none of the documents submitted in the investigation shows this training),
- The non-execution of the MVI maneuver by the crew (the plane left the LOC axis after the published point which is 5.2 NM), implying that the crew delayed the turn to reach the right hand downwind leg.
- The non-application by the crew of the procedure following the PULL UP-alarm.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in Capurganá

Date & Time: Jun 26, 2009 at 1726 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4094
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Medellín – Capurganá
MSN:
86 17 07
YOM:
1986
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16100
Captain / Total hours on type:
244.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1030
Copilot / Total hours on type:
556
Aircraft flight hours:
11771
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport at 1610LT on a charter flight to Capurganá, carrying 16 passengers and two pilots. After landing on runway 03 at Capurganá-Narcisa Navas Airport, the aircraft deviated to the left. It veered off runway, rolled through a grassy area then collided with a perimeter fence and came to rest against a tree. All 18 occupants were rescued, among them three were injured, the captain seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after touchdown following the execution of an unstabilized approach. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Low situational awareness on part of the crew during the approach and landing procedures,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Absence of sterile cockpit,
- Total ignorance of the crew regarding the landing distance needed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Xian MA60 in Caticlan

Date & Time: Jun 25, 2009 at 0755 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C8892
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Manila - Caticlan
MSN:
07 03
YOM:
2008
Flight number:
EZD863
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
55
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Manila, the crew started the descent to Caticlan Airport and was informed that runway 06 was in use due to the wind component. For unknown reasons, the captain decided to land on runway 24. The approach was too long and the aircraft landed too far down the runway, about 950 metres past the runway threshold. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and came to rest in a grassy area against the perimeter fence. All 59 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Crooked Creek

Date & Time: Jun 16, 2009 at 1620 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1623U
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aniak – Sleetmute – Crooked Creek
MSN:
207-0223
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1388
Captain / Total hours on type:
486.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9089
Circumstances:
The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, other work use flight when the accident occurred. As he approached his destination airport, he said he saw a large rain squall moving over the airport, and he elected to remain south of the airport to allow time for it to move. He reported that while maneuvering the airplane at 1,000 feet msl, all engine power was lost. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot selected a marshy tree-covered area as a forced landing site. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the forced landing. The NTSB discovered no mechanical problems with the engine during a postaccident teardown and examination.
Probable cause:
A total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander in Port Hope Simpson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 2009 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FJJR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon - Port Hope Simpson
MSN:
424
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
13500
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was tasked with a medical evacuation flight to take a patient from Port Hope Simpson to St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft departed the company’s base of operations at Forteau, Newfoundland and Labrador, at approximately 0620 Newfoundland and Labrador daylight time. At approximately 0650, he made radio contact with the airfield attendant at the Port Hope Simpson Airport, advising that he was four nautical miles from the airport for landing. The weather in Port Hope Simpson was reported to be foggy. There were no further transmissions from the aircraft. Although the aircraft could not be seen, it could be heard west of the field. An application of power was heard, followed shortly thereafter by the sound of an impact. Once the fog cleared about 30 minutes later, smoke was visible in the hills approximately four nautical miles to the west of the Port Hope Simpson Airport. A ground search team was dispatched from Port Hope Simpson and the wreckage was found at approximately 1100. The sole occupant of the aircraft was fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a severe post-crash fire. There was no emergency locator transmitter signal.
Probable cause:
Finding as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
1. The aircraft departed controlled flight, likely in an aerodynamic stall, and impacted terrain for undetermined reasons.
Other Finding:
1. The lack of onboard recording devices prevented the investigation from determining the reasons why the aircraft departed controlled flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 4000 in Sittwe

Date & Time: Jun 6, 2009 at 0820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XY-ADW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yangon - Sittwe
MSN:
11114
YOM:
1977
Flight number:
UB409
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
62
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Yangon, the crew completed the approach to Sittwe Airport in poor weather conditions. The aircraft landed hard on runway 11, causing the right main gear to collapse. The right wing struck the ground and was partially sheared off. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the left and came to rest against a fence. Three occupants, among them the captain, were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the runway threshold and edge lights as well as the VASIS were unserviceable.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Halaveli

Date & Time: Jun 2, 2009 at 1009 LT
Operator:
Registration:
8Q-MAG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Male - Halaveli
MSN:
224
YOM:
1969
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3556
Captain / Total hours on type:
3240.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1974
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1688
Aircraft flight hours:
33685
Circumstances:
The 8Q-MAG aircraft departed at 0945hrs, with 3 crew and 4 passengers on board, for a Photo Flight around the Lagoon of Halaveli (North Ari Atoll) from the floating platform ( fixed to jetty) of Halaveli (North Ari Atoll). The sky was clear with good visibility and wind, 8-10 knots, from westerly direction. The estimated flight time for the flight was 40 minutes. The aircraft took off westbound. After levelling the aircraft the co-pilot gave his seat to the cameraman, one of the passengers. The co-pilot remained at third row left seat from thereon until the aircraft met the accident. According to the crew and passengers the aircraft made few orbits (right bank) around the island at the initial levelled height and, then descended lower heights and made few more orbits around the lagoon for photography. The passenger seated at the cabin wearing the headset informed the PIC that they got all the shots they wanted and now he could land. PIC started a descending turn (right bank) while keeping the passenger at the co-pilot seat in order to give a different view to him. Before the PIC could complete the turn, the right wing and/or float hit the water. The accident resulted in both wings being broken at the root. Left float was detached and right float got stuck, between the engine and the fuselage, blocking the co-pilot exit. Empennage was twisted upside down. The depth of the lagoon at the site of wreckage was about 1 meter. All the passengers and crew were able to escape the aircraft without any fatalities.
Probable cause:
It was observed by the investigation team that;
• The PIC was conducting flying activities (photographic activities) lower than that allowed in regulations and company operations manual and standard operating procedures.
• At the time of accident a passenger was occupying the co-pilot seat.
• PIC could not make a fair judgment of the aircraft altitude by looking outside since the aircraft was banking to the right for a turn and the co-pilot seat was occupied by a passenger.
• The crew of the aircraft acted swiftly to save lives, after the aircraft came to a halt.
• Investigation revealed that the right float forward and both wingtips were severely damaged. Since the aircraft was right banked at the impact it was evident that the right wing and/or float were the first to impact with the water.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo in Quevedo

Date & Time: May 28, 2009 at 1055 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AEE-501
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
104
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft made a wheels up landing at Quevedo Airport. While all 8 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Isiro: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 26, 2009 at 1616 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CSA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goma – Isiro
MSN:
50 05
YOM:
1977
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Goma on a cargo flight to Isiro, carrying one loadmaster, three crew members and a load of 7 tons of cigarettes. On approach to Isiro-Matari Airport, the aircraft crashed 3 km short of runway. The loadmaster was seriously injured while three others occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Daytona Beach: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 2009 at 0846 LT
Registration:
N73U
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Daytona Beach - New Smyrna Beach
MSN:
500-3162
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1470
Captain / Total hours on type:
574.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3360
Circumstances:
The pilot departed in the twin-engine airplane with an unknown quantity of fuel and a fuel quantity indicating system that was known to be inaccurate. Immediately after takeoff, approximately 1/2 mile beyond the departure end of the runway, witnesses reported the engine noise from the accident airplane as "surging" as the airplane passed overhead, and one witness described a "radical" turn back to the airport. Two witnesses stated that only one engine was running, and added that it was "revving," and would then stop before revving up again. During the descent to the airport, radar data showed the airplane at 93 knots 700 feet and 1 mile from the runway, and at 90 knots at 500 feet and 1/2 mile from the runway, but the airplane crashed prior to the approach end of the runway. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre accident mechanical malfunction. The fuel system had a capacity of 226 gallons, was serviced through a single port on top of the left wing, and the tanks were interconnected to a center fuel sump that fed both engines. The fuel cells were opened through access panels and each was intact and contained only trace amounts of fuel. The airplane was leveled, the drain petcock was opened at the center fuel cell sump, and 1 quart of fuel was drained.
Probable cause:
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
Final Report: