Crash of a Short 360 in Marsa al Burayqah: 22 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 2000 at 1238 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HB-AAM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tripoli - Marsa el Brega
MSN:
3763
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Captain / Total flying hours:
8814
Captain / Total hours on type:
3840.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10422
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1950
Aircraft flight hours:
7138
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off at 0929 utc from Tripoli-Intl Airport with two flight crew, one cabin crew and 38 passengers of which three children and one infant with 3,200 lbs of fuel on board. The aircraft flew on the route Tripoli - Beniwalid - Tilal direct to Marsa Brega. During flight, the crew have noticed fuel imbalance so they did a cross feeding until fuel balanced at 11:17:12 utc. At 11:25:51 utc, the aircraft started to descend from FL070 at 40 nm from Marsa Brega. At 11:36:57 utc, the left engine flamed out and the captain asked his f/o to confirm left engine failure at 11:37:27 utc. The f/o confirmed the left engine failure at 11:37:28 utc. The right engine flamed out at 11:37:39 utc. The captain asked his f/o to inform soc operation at Marsa Brega about the two engines failure and his decision to ditch at 11:37:57 utc. The captain asked his f/o to relight the engine at 11:38:05 utc. The GPWS activated since the aircraft was in an unsafe situation. At 11:38:34 utc, the aircraft ditched in the sea at 30 23.457 N 019 28.953 E. Both pilots and 17 other occupants were rescued while 22 other people including the cabin crew were killed. The aircraft was destroyed. Most of the passengers were employees of the Sirte Oil Company and working at the Marsa Brega Oil Complex. On board were 15 Libyans (among them both pilots), 13 British, two Canadians, three Indians, three Croatians, three Philippines, one Pakistan and one Tunisian, the cabin crew. Operated by the Libyan Sirte Oil Company, the aircraft was owned by Avisto, a Swiss operator.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The crew was properly certificated and qualified for the flight.
- There was no evidence of factors which would have detracted from the crews physical ability to operate the aircraft,
- The aircraft was properly certificated.
- The certificate of airworthiness has no expiry date according to Swiss regulations and considered to be valid and of transport category.
- The certificate of maintenance was valid.
- The insurance policy certificate was valid.
- The aircraft weight and CofG were within prescribed limits.
- The aircraft flew five sectors on that day before the crash flight.
- The emergency doors were not used except the cockpit emergency hatch.
- Fuel samples analyzed and found up to jet a1 specification.
- The aircraft was not in landing configuration, landing gear up and flaps up.
- The passengers were not informed about the aircraft ditching.
- The tail unit and the aircraft nose has destroyed which led the aircraft to sink in few minutes.
- The aircraft was equipped with a GPWS system.
- The aircraft maintenance schedule was not approved by FOCA.
Probable causes:
- Melting of ice formed at engines intake resulted in ware ingestion and both engine flame out.
- The flight crew failed to operate the engine anti-icing system.
- The flight crew were busy with a discussion not relevant to their flight of the aircraft.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jan 10, 2000 at 0519 LT
Registration:
N905DK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Millville – Coatesville
MSN:
61-0308-081
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
350
Circumstances:
While operating in IMC, the pilot was vectored to the final approach course for an ILS approach. Weather at the airport was ceiling 200 feet and visibility 3/4 mile in mist. The pilot was cleared for the approach, which he acknowledged. No other transmissions were received from the accident airplane. Radar data showed the airplane intercept the final approach course, then track inbound. The airplane crossed the outer marker 420 feet below the glide slope. The last radar return showed the airplane at 440 feet agl, 3.9 miles from the runway. The airplane impacted the ground at a shallow angle about 1 mile north of the airport on the opposite side of the missed approach procedure. The elevation of the accident site was approximately 40 feet lower than the airport. The pilot had about 350 hours of total flight
experience. No pre-impact failures were identified with the airframe, engines, flight controls, or flight instruments.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, and his failure to establish a climb after passing the missed approach point.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P1A Bandeirante in Abuja: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 2000 at 1325 LT
Operator:
Registration:
5N-AXL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lagos - Abuja - Ilorin
MSN:
110-455
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport runway 22, the crew declared an emergency and reported smoke in the cockpit and cabin. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled and crashed 120 metres short of runway. A passenger and one people on the ground were killed while 12 other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Saint-Barthélemy

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1999 at 1055 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N491BB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Christiansted - Saint-Barthélemy
MSN:
U-97
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On December 31, 1999, at about 1055 Atlantic standard time, a Beech 99A, N491BB, registered to Alberta Aircraft Leasing Inc., operated by Bohlke International Airways, as a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi, experienced a collapse of the main landing gear on landing at St. Barthelemy, (TFFJ) French Antilles. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport-rated pilot, copilot, and seven passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from St. Croix, (STX) Virgin Islands, about 55 minutes before the accident. The accident was initially reported to the NTSB on January 5, 2000, by the FBI. The pilot stated they departed STX at about 1000. They had to make a 360-degree turn upon arrival at TFFJ due to other arriving traffic. They completed the descent arrival checklist and turned an 8- mile final. At a 1 1/2-mile final the flaps were lowered to the full down position, the propellers were set at 2,000 rpm, airspeed 95 knots, and all three landing gear lights were illuminated. On touchdown the airplane yawed to the left. Right rudder and aileron was applied with negative results. Power was increased and the airplane continued to yaw to the left. The airplane went off the left side of the runway and ground looped, separating the right main landing gear. The airplane came to a complete stop on its fuselage with the nose gear extended. They returned to the airplane on January 3, 2000. The airplane was lifted with a forklift and the left main landing gear was observed in the retracted position. A commuter pilot informed them that he observed the landing on the day of the accident. He stated he observed the left main landing gear moving forward and backwards.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382G Hercules in Luzamba

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1999 at 0545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
S9-BOP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4477
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a night visual approach to Luzamba Airport, the crew landed the aircraft in the first metres of the runway. For unknown reasons, the aircraft lifted off and floated few cm above the runway surface for few seconds before landing a second time. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (the gravel runway is 1,500 metres long), the aircraft overran, went down an embankment and came to rest 16 metres further. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-42D in Valencia: 22 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1999 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CU-T1285
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Havana - Valencia
MSN:
49 14 068
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
CU310
Country:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed Havana Airport on a special flight to Valencia-Arturo Michelena Airport with 12 passengers and 10 crew members on board. They were on their way to Valencia to pick up Cuban rescuers who were recently dispatched in Venezuela to help local authorities following heavy floods that killed more than 10,000 people. Following a holding circuit of about 40 minutes, the crew was cleared to descend from 8,000 feet to 4,000 feet when, on final, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt San Luis located 12 km short of runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 22 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew started the descent prematurely and continued below the minimum safe altitude until the aircraft impacted terrain. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to the night.

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Monterrey: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1999 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-EXF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Antonio - Monterrey
MSN:
414-0827
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from San Antonio, the pilot started a night approach to Monterrey-Del Norte. On final in good weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few km from the airfield. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 551 Citation II/SP in Cordele: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1999 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1218S
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dallas - Cordele
MSN:
551-0428
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4229
Captain / Total hours on type:
1108.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3741
Circumstances:
The Cessna 551, collided with trees and subsequently the ground following a missed approach to runway 10, at the Crisp County Airport in Cordele, Georgia. According to the Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Center, the pilot was given radar vectors to the outer marker and cleared him for the non-precision localizer approach to runway 10. Recorded radar data showed the airplane initiating the approach at 1900 feet mean sea level (MSL) as published. The airplane descended to 600 feet MSL as published and over-flew the airport. The controller stated that he was waiting for the missed approach call, as he observed the airplane climb to 700 feet MSL. The airplane then descended back to 600 feet MSL and disappeared from radar. The controller never received a missed approach call. A witness near the airport stated that he heard the airplane fly over but did not see it due to haze and fog.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to follow the published missed approach procedures, and to maintain proper altitude. Factors contributing to the severity of the accident were the low ceilings and trees.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-10-30 in Guatemala City: 18 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1999 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-GTDI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Havana - Guatemala City
MSN:
46890
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
CU1216
Country:
Crew on board:
18
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
296
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Captain / Total flying hours:
16117
Captain / Total hours on type:
4872.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8115
Copilot / Total hours on type:
4156
Aircraft flight hours:
85760
Aircraft flight cycles:
27331
Circumstances:
Leased from AOM French Airlines, the aircraft was completing a charter flight (service CU1216) from Havana to Guatemala City on behalf of Cubana de Aviacion, carrying 18 crew members and 296 passengers who were mostly young Guatemalan citizens studying medicine in Cuba. After touchdown on runway 19, the crew started the braking procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, went down an embankment and eventually crashed onto several houses located in the district of La Libertad. Both pilots, six other crew members, eight passengers and two people on the ground were killed. Also, 57 people were injured (among them 20 on the ground) while 261 other occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who landed too far down the runway with an excessive speed, between 1,220 and 1,320 metres past the runway threshold. Runway 29 is 2,767 metres long and it was calculated that the landing distance available was reduced by 1,450 to 1,500 metres. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure while the landing procedure was obviously missed,
- An indicated airspeed (IAS) of the aircraft greater than the specified one, with an increase due to elevation and temperature,
- The initial gradient of the track that requires a vertical speed descent, during leveling, May than usual,
- The flotation of the aircraft during the leveling phase (flare), facilitated by the use of the “CWS” mode of the autopilot (procedure approved by the aircraft flight manual), without corrective action by the Commander,
- A probable tailwind component over which there was no exact information provided by the control tower and that was not monitored by the crew, as it was not in their procedures nor did he feel the need to,
- The failure of the crew to immediately start the braking procedure after touchdown, probably caused by a false visual impression of the crew which was facilitated by their lack of prior experience for the approach and landing on runway 19 at the Aurora Airport with this type of aircraft,
- The runway surface condition,
- A tailwind component.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft King Air 90 in Beaufort: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1999 at 2035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N75CF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hilton Head - Beaufort
MSN:
LW-212
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
21250
Aircraft flight hours:
10316
Circumstances:
The PIC was cleared for an ASR approach to the destination airport. The co-pilot was looking outside to obtain a visual reference on the destination airport. They broke out of the clouds at about 900 feet, and were descending at about 480 feet per minute. The ceiling was overcast, ragged, and very dark with no visible horizon. The co-pilot looked back inside the cockpit to check the radios when he heard a thump. The PIC had continued the descent below the minimum descent altitude, the airplane collided with the marsh and crashed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-commands failure to maintain the appropriate altitude (minimum descent altitude) during an area surveillance radar (ASR) approach, resulting in an in-flight collision with swampy terrain. Contributing to the accident was the co-pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during the ASR approach.
Final Report: