Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Wau: 13 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 2003 at 1625 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-SAA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Khartoum – Wau
MSN:
5 3 429 05
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
SRW044
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Khartoum to Wau, carrying seven passengers, six crew members and a load consisting of foods and bank notes. On final approach to Wau Airport, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located 6 km short of runway, bursting into flames. All 13 occupants were killed, among them soldiers and members of the National Bank of Sudan.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B in Geneina

Date & Time: Nov 3, 2003 at 0735 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-11997
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum – Geneina
MSN:
6 3 444 07
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Geneina Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the ground eight metres short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft slid for about 800 metres before coming to rest. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Kralendijk

Date & Time: Nov 2, 2003 at 2331 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N630HA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oranjestad – Kralendijk
MSN:
630
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On November 2, 2003, about 2331 Atlantic standard time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35, N630HA, registered to Hezemans Air, Inc., collided with terrain short of the runway at Flamingo Airport, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, while on a CFR Part 91 positioning flight from Aruba to Bonaire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from Aruba, the same day about 2250. The pilot stated that when on a 1- mile final approach for landing both engines lost power. The airplane descended and collided with terrain about 300 meters from the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane by Civil Aviation Authorities showed the airplane did not contain any usable fuel and there was no evidence of fuel leakage from the airplane prior to the accident or after the accident.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Kamina

Date & Time: Oct 30, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ER-AJG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kilembwe – Kamina
MSN:
1AJ004-09
YOM:
1987
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft struck the ground 800 metres short of runway. Congolese Army' Soldiers guarded the site, so no UNO observers could get in. Illegal cargo flight with arms and war material on board is suspected.

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

Date & Time: Oct 29, 2003 at 0854 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N791FE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Casper – Cody
MSN:
208B-0289
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
FDX8773
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
11094
Captain / Total hours on type:
5821.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6885
Aircraft flight cycles:
6599
Circumstances:
ARTCC asked the pilot of Airspur 8773 if he would be able to execute the VOR instrument approach. The pilot said he could, but he wanted to "hold for a while to see if [the weather] gets a little better" [according to the METAR, visibility was 1.75 statute miles and there was a 200-foot overcast ceiling]. He was cleared to hold north of the VOR at 12,000 feet msl. While holding, the pilot filed the following PIREP indicating light rime icing. Shortly thereafter, he was cleared for the approach. Three witnesses saw the airplane on the downwind leg, just past midfield, at an estimated altitude of 500 feet. Shortly thereafter, one of them heard the engine "spool up to high power...[like reversing] the pitch of the propeller to slow down," and he thought the airplane had landed. Five witnesses said the airplane emerged from the overcast and banked "sharply to the left, then back to the right, then back to the left, then took a hard bank to the right," rolled inverted and struck the highway just south of the airport perimeter. The airplane slid down the embankment and out into a lake, becoming partially submerged. Witnesses said it was "snowing hard" and the highway was covered with 1 to 2 inches of slush. Wreckage examination revealed the flaps were down 30 degrees, the wing deice boots were "ribbed," and the inertial separator was open. According to the toxicological report, chlorpheniramine, desmethylsertraline, sertraline, and pseudoephedrine were detected in blood. In addition, chlorpheniramine, sertraline, phenylpropanolamine, and pseudoephedrine were detected in the urine. The urine also contained acetaminophen. Sertraline (trade name Zoloft) is a prescription antidepressant medication. According to the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, "The use of a psychotropic medication is considered disqualifying. This includes all... antidepressant drugs..." Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine used primarily for the treatment of allergies. Pseudophedrine (trade name Sudafed) is a decongestant. Acetaminophen (trade name Tylenol) is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever-reducer. According to Dr. Stanley R. Mohler's "Medication and Flying: A Pilot's Guide," the adverse side effects of chlorpheniramine include drowsiness, dizziness, and lessened coordination. The side effects of pseudophedrine are usually mild and infrequent, but may include sleepiness, dizziness, restlessness, headache, and perhaps some loss of coordination and alertness or confusion.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to divert to an alternate airport, an inadvertent stall, and the snow and icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA in Zurich

Date & Time: Oct 28, 2003 at 0742 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-IFSH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leipzig – Zurich
MSN:
42-8001101
YOM:
1982
Flight number:
RUS1050
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
900.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
34
Aircraft flight hours:
5276
Aircraft flight cycles:
4370
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a positioning flight (RUS1050) from Leipzig to Zurich on behalf of FSH Luftfahrtunternehmen but under contract of Cirrus Aviation. On final approach to Zurich-Kloten Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Despite the RVR for runway 14 was estimated to be 275 metres (below minimums of 400 metres for a CAT II approach if aircraft and crew are qualified), the crew decided to continue the approach, descended below the MDA until the aircraft struck the ground between both runways 14 and 16. The aircraft rolled for few dozen metres then lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a frosty field. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the vertical visibility was 300 feet, the horizontal visibility was 200 metres with freezing fog, an OAT of -3° C and a dew point of -4° C.
Probable cause:
The accident is due to the fact that the crew continued the approach below the decision height during an ILS approach to runway 14 without sufficient visual references. As a result, the plane struck the ground and crashed. The following factors contributed to the development of the accident:
- The aircraft was neither equipped nor approved for approaches under the prevailing weather conditions.
- The crew was not trained for approaches in such weather conditions.
- The crew failed to comply with SOP's and did not assigned tasks.
- The crew was not familiar with the procedural requirements.
- The crew knowledge was insufficiently checked by the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAe 125-800A in Las Potrancas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 2003 at 0808 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-ISH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tampico - Las Potrancas
MSN:
258036
YOM:
1985
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
5717
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport on a positioning flight to Las Potrancas Aerodrome located near Aldama, Tamaulipas. On approach to runway 02, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds. As the aircraft was not properly aligned, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure and to make a left turn. At low height (about 800 feet), the aircraft struck a hill located to the left of the aerodrome and crashed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach below MDA under VFR mode in IMC conditions until the aircraft impacted terrain at an altitude of 800 feet. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor crew resources management,
- The crew continued the approach in unfavorable weather conditions with low clouds,
- Approach to an airport without radio assistance support,
- The crew suffered a loss of situational awareness,
- Poor flight planning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B in Buenos Aires: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 2003 at 0430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-MGV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Buenos Aires - Corrientes
MSN:
567
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
CTZ760
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
27650
Aircraft flight cycles:
21574
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini Airport runway 17, while climbing by night, the crew reported technical problems. ATC cleared the crew for an immediate return and land. On final approach, the situation worsened and the crew apparently attempted an emergency landing on the Esperanza Golf Course when the aircraft struck a tree and crashed 5 km short of runway 35, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during initial climb for undetermined reasons. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was overload and operated over the MTOW. At impact, the left propeller was feathered while the right engine was running at full power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Socata TBM-700 in Dundee

Date & Time: Oct 24, 2003 at 1742 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N700VA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Edinburgh – Dundee
MSN:
233
YOM:
2002
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3170
Captain / Total hours on type:
65.00
Circumstances:
After an uneventful flight from Edinburgh the pilot made a visual approach to Runway 28 (landing distance available 1,400 metres) at Dundee. The pilot reported that the aircraft floated down the runway in the flare and bounced lightly on touchdown. During the bounce the aircraft initially yawed left and then rolled left in a normal pitch attitude with no stall warning. Full right rudder was applied but this was unable to correct the yaw. Power was applied to initiate a go-around, whilst maintaining full right rudder, but the pilot was unable to prevent the left wing from hitting the ground. This caused the aircraft to yaw rapidly to the left bringing one of its wheels into contact with a low wall. The pilot then reduced power and ditched in the River Tay, approximately 10 metres from the shore. The air traffic controllers on duty reported that the aircraft achieved a high nose attitude during the go-around before the left wing dropped and the aircraft veered to the left. The aircraft came to rest with the top of the fuselage out of the water and the pilot and passengers were able to evacuate though the main door and stand on the wing to await rescue by the airport's hovercraft. The hovercraft could only carry two passengers at a time thus the process was delayed resulting in the pilot and passengers suffering from mild hypothermia.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 600 in Tarauacá

Date & Time: Oct 20, 2003 at 1132 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-TVA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cruzeiro do Sul – Tarauacá – Rio Branco
MSN:
10334
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
TVJ6167
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3797.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2682
Aircraft flight hours:
55725
Aircraft flight cycles:
60270
Circumstances:
After landing at Tarauacá Airport, the crew started the braking procedure when control was lost. The aircraft veered off runway, collided with several obstacles and came to rest in a ditch. All 23 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after landing after the crew selected the power levers on 'ground fine pitch', combined with the failure of the antiskid system due to poor maintenance. The operator was facing enormous financial difficulties which affected the motivation of the maintenance, flight and cabin crew, which was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report: