Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Pittsfield

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1993 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6192A
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Portland – Pittsfield
MSN:
31-7904009
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3952
Circumstances:
The pilot tried to activate the radio-controlled runway boundary lights about 10 miles away, and also while he was in the traffic pattern, but he was unsuccessful. He continued his descent to approximately 500 feet above the ground using the vasi (visual approach slope indicator) lights. The pilot stated that he had the airport in sight and' felt well enough in sight to complete landing.' The airplane touched down in approximately 18 inches of snow 60 feet off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. He said as he got closer to the ground he realized it was snow-mobile tracks and not the runway. He tried to go-around but the airplane impacted the ground collapsing the nose gear.
Probable cause:
The pilot's inadequate inflight decision to continue a landing without runway lights, and his delay in initiating a go-around. A related factor was the pilot's overconfidence in his ability.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild F27F in Cancún

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-MCJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cozumel - Cancún
MSN:
90
YOM:
1961
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at Cancún Airport, causing the right main gear to collapsed upon touchdown. The aircraft came to rest on the runway and was damaged beyond repair. All 43 occupants escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 10 in Aurillac

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1993 at 1043 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N85JM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Munich - Aurillac
MSN:
85
YOM:
1975
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Aurillac Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Antananarivo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
5R-MTR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Antananarivo - Antananarivo
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft, owned and operated by the Ministère des Transports et du Ravitaillement (Ministry of Transport and Supply) was engaged in a local training flight at Antananarivo-Ivato Airport, carrying three pilots. On approach, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all three occupants.

Crash of a Swearingen SA26AT Merlin IIB in Ardmore

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1993 at 1645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N34UA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lindale - Ardmore
MSN:
T26-145
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
42000
Captain / Total hours on type:
25.00
Circumstances:
During a missed approach the airplane lost power to both engines. The pilot selected the only area available to land. The terrain was marked by trees, fences, and rising terrain. Prior to the missed approach the airplane had landed at another airport in the same town. The purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to a facility to repair a fuel leak in the wing.
Probable cause:
Pilot's failure to refuel and fuel exhaustion. Factors were a fuel leak in the wing and unsuitable terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK in Termez

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
390
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kabul – Kunduz – Mazari Sharif
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
111
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Mazari Sharif, the crew was informed by ATC that a landing was impossible due to foggy conditions reducing visibility below minimums. The crew was instructed to divert to Termez Airport, south of Uzbekistan. On approach, all four engines failed due to fuel exhaustion and the crew attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located few km from the airport and came to rest. All 119 occupants were rescued, among them five were injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing following the failure of all four engine due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Foz do Iguaçu: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-OQP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Curitiba - Foz do Iguaçu
MSN:
B-7
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On approach to Foz do Iguaçu Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility and failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine aircraft struck tree tops and a powerline before crashing in a wooded area located one km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to heavy rain falls.

Crash of a Boeing 707-387B in Recife

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-ISA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Maceió – Fortaleza
MSN:
19238
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
156
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Maceió to Fortaleza, while in cruising altitude, the crew reported hydraulic problems and was cleared to divert to Recife-Guararapes Airport for an emergency landing. On approach, the crew was forced to lower the gear manually but it was not possible to establish if they were locked down or not. In accordance with ATC, the crew completed a low pass over the airport and ATC confirmed all three gear were down. A second approach was completed and the aircraft landed smoothly. Nevertheless, following a course of few dozen metres, the right main gear 'collapsed' and entered its wheel well. The aircraft rolled to the right, veered off runway then struck a concrete block, causing the nose gear to collapse. All 168 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Marfa

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1993 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N363N
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Houston - Marfa
MSN:
LJ-263
YOM:
1967
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2016
Captain / Total hours on type:
675.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6226
Circumstances:
During a dark night cross country in instrument meteorological conditions, the airplane was cleared for a VOR approach to runway 30. Due to unfavorable winds, the pilot elected to circle to land on runway 12. While on a right downwind, visual contact with the runway was lost and not reestablished. The pilot continued the descent on the base leg and impacted the terrain in a slight right turn.
Probable cause:
The pilot's continued descent below the proper altitude. Factors were the dark night, fog, and the crew's poor coordination.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Bambu

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1993 at 0923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ISF
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
281
YOM:
1971
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Bambu Airstrip (runway 410 metres long), the pilot saw the windsock moving but estimated the wind to be relatively calm. While completing the flare, the aircraft was caught by a sudden updraft and landed too far down the runway. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and came to rest in bushes. All four occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was written off. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as fine with overcast at 8,000 feet and good visibility below clouds. The Bambu runway has a gradient of 9,25% and is very short. Here, the pilot should initiate a go-around procedure as a safe landing was not possible in such conditions.