Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Rincón de Los Sauces

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1996 at 2115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-AOR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chos Malal - Rincón de Los Sauces
MSN:
AC-478
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
NEQ413
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Rincón de Los Sauces Airport, the aircraft struck the ground short of runway threshold. The left main gear collapsed and the airplane slid for few dozen metres then veered off runway and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew was approaching the airport at an insufficient altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the operator to consider the restrictions at the destination airport,
- Possible windshear on short final.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 10 in Detroit

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1996 at 1018 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N191MC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Philadelphia - Flint
MSN:
30
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11163
Captain / Total hours on type:
1330.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9829
Circumstances:
The pilot reported getting an unsafe indication on the right main landing gear when the landing gear was lowered. The crew recycled the landing gear and got the same unsafe indication. The crew retracted the gear and diverted to Detroit. On arrival, the crew performed the 'landing gear abnormal extension checklist,' but the unsafe indication remained. The air traffic control tower reported that the gear appeared normal. During the landing, the right main landing gear retracted. The airplane slid sideways, striking a runway marker as it departed the runway, and came to rest in a field. Examination revealed that the right landing gear downlock mechanism could be overcome with physical force. Examination of the right landing gear actuator revealed that one of the six shims which separate the spacers and help guide the safety lock switch was out of position and lying on top of the lock assembly.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right landing gear locking mechanism.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 425 Conquest I in Hanover: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-IBAA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hanover - Hanover
MSN:
425-0163
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew (one instructor and one student pilot) were completing a local training flight at Hanover-Langenhagen Airport. On final approach, the instructor shut down an engine to simulate a failure. The pilot-in-command lost control of the aircraft that stalled and crashed in a field short of runway, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were seriously injured. Few hours later, the pilot under supervision died from his injuries.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise in Allentown

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1996 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N888TP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wilkes Barre - Allentown
MSN:
1541
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2265
Captain / Total hours on type:
350.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2788
Circumstances:
The flight was on the ILS approach to runway 6, broke out of the clouds at 500 feet, and then re-entered the clouds. The airplane had not yet touched down when it drifted to right of the runway centerline and struck a snow bank located in the grass to the right of the runway, between the runway and the taxiway. The pilot stated he was just starting the missed approach when the accident occurred, and '...that there was no indication of a malfunction of the aircraft.' The reported ceiling was, 100 sky obscured, and the visibility was 1/4 mile, wind 040 degrees, 6 knots.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to comply with IFR procedures in that he attempted an instrument approach with visibility below the required minimums, and his delayed execution of a missed approach. A factor was the reduced visibility due to clouds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise in Columbia

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1996 at 0923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N50KW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Columbia - Columbia
MSN:
784
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16878
Captain / Total hours on type:
4348.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6073
Circumstances:
The flight departed on a maintenance test flight with known wind gusts to 27 knots. Before takeoff the pilot performed an NTS check to each engine with no discrepancies noted. During flight the pilot performed an NTS check to the left engine. Two attempts to restart the left engine were unsuccessful. Each time the propeller came out of the feathered position and started to rotate but there was no fuel flow or ignition. The flight returned to land and while on short final to runway 29 with the wind from 250 degrees at 20 knots, a witness observed the airplane pitch nose up then down then heard the sound of power applied to the right engine. The airplane than rolled to the left, pitched nose down, impacted the ground coming to rest nearly inverted with the wing section separated. Postaccident examination of the left engine and accessories revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The left engine fuel shutoff valve was found in the 'closed' position and no fuel was found aft of the fuel shutoff valve. The pilot stated that he has no recollection of the accident. The left and right engines had just been installed following 'hot section' work to both, and both were then started the day after installation with no discrepancies noted by company maintenance personnel.
Probable cause:
A total loss of power on one engine for undetermined reasons, and the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (VMC) resulting in an in-flight loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the wind gusts encountered while on final approach to land.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAe 125-700B in Kano: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1996 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-AXO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lagos - Kano
MSN:
257196
YOM:
1983
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The approach to Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport was completed by night but in good weather conditions. On final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed in a field located 7,2 km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed, among them Ibrahim Abacha aged 28, son of General Sani Abacha, President of the Republic of Nigeria. It is unclear if the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain or if the aircraft suffered an engine problems or if it was shot down.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu in Peachtree City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1996 at 0900 LT
Registration:
N9210F
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lakeland – Peachtree City
MSN:
46-22119
YOM:
1991
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1080
Captain / Total hours on type:
92.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1064
Circumstances:
During the preflight briefing, the pilot was informed of reduced visibility and low ceiling in the vicinity of the destination airport, at the approximate time of the planned arrival. Upon arriving in the Atlanta area, the pilot was issued radar vectors to a final for the localizer runway 31 approach. The pilot was also given the current Atlanta altimeter setting, and was cleared for the localizer runway 31 approach. The airplane collided with a 60-foot tall light pole at a nearby baseball complex 2 miles short of the runway. The weather observation from the Hartsfield International Airport indicated that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. However, according to a witness at the accident site, the weather conditions were foggy with reduced visibility. The wreckage distribution path was 2,467 feet right of the localizer course. The minimum descent altitude for this approach, using Atlanta's altimeter setting, was 1260 feet. The ground check of the localizer and DME facility was within normal operating range. Examination of the aircraft navigational radios also tested within normal ranges. The average field elevation in the vicinity of the accident site is 800 feet. The pilot's toxicological examinations detected pseudoephedrine (decongestant), phenylpropanolamine (decongestant), and chlorpheniramine (antihistamine). No samples were available to quantify the blood levels of these medications.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure. The fog was a factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II on Mt Chachani: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1996 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
OB-1403
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Yauri-Espinar - Arequipa
MSN:
31-772002
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While descending to Arequipa-Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Chachani located about 17 km north of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew initiated the descent prematurely for unknown reasons. Lack of visibility due to clouds was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Cessna 401A in Spokane: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1996 at 1907 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N117AC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pasco - Spokane
MSN:
401A-0040
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5800
Circumstances:
The pilot received abbreviated weather briefing for emergency medical service (EMS)/air ambulance flight. Before flight, he expressed anxiety about possible low visibility for landing and timely transport of dying patient. During ILS runway 03 approach (rwy 03 approach), the aircraft remained well above the glide slope until close to the middle marker; aircraft's speed decreased from 153 to 100 kts, while vertical speed increased from 711 feet/min to about 1,250 feet/min descent. About 1 mile from runway and 500 feet agl (in fog), the aircraft abruptly turned left of localizer course and gradually descended with no distress call from pilot. The aircraft hit a pole, then flew into a building and burned. Low ceiling, fog and dark night conditions prevailed. Pilot (recent ex military helicopter pilot) had logged/reported 3,500 hours of flight time and about 150 hours in multiengine airplanes, but there was evidence he lacked experience with actual instrument approaches in fixed wing aircraft; he had difficulty with instrument flying during recent training and FAA check flights. No preimpact mechanical problem was found with aircraft/engines. No ILS anomalies were found. Flight nurse was using cellular phone, but no evidence was found of interference with aircraft's navigational system. Visibility and ceiling at destination were less than forecast at time of pilot's preflight weather briefing. Paramedic was only survivor.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to follow proper IFR procedures, by failing to maintain proper alignment with the localizer course during the ILS approach and/or by failing to follow the proper missed approach procedure. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness; adverse weather conditions; and pressure on the pilot to complete the EMS flight, due to the circumstances and conditions that prevailed.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Chachapoyas

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1604
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2604
YOM:
1990
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
39
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at Chachapoyas Airport. Upon touchdown, the right main gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft veered off runway and came to rest few dozen metres further, bursting into flames. All 44 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.