Crash of a Learjet 25B in Carlsbad

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1991 at 0825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N44PA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Carlsbad
MSN:
25-144
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6180
Captain / Total hours on type:
117.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8117
Circumstances:
The pilot and copilot reported in their written statements that the airplane was above glideslope on the final approach. They said the airplane touched down about 1,500 feet from the approach end of the 4,700 feet long runway. The pilot said he applied the brakes but could not stop the airplane on the runway. The airplane departed the end of the runway and continued forward over rough and uneven terrain. The main landing gear sheared off and penetrated both wings. The airplane came to a stop in a gully. Other witnesses located on the ground and in the air traffic control tower reported the airplane was 'high and fast' and touched down at about midfield or after.
Probable cause:
The pilot not attaining the proper touchdown point because of excessive altitude and airspeed, and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around. A factor in this accident was the rough and uneven terrain which was encountered after the aircraft departed the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in McGrath: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1991 at 1836 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N6390H
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nikolai - McGrath
MSN:
207-0507
YOM:
1979
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2015
Aircraft flight hours:
11979
Circumstances:
The wreckage was located on the northeast side of halfway mountain heading approximately 270° at the 1,600 foot level. The accident site is located within two miles of the initial approach fix for the localizer/dme runway 16 approach at McGrath. The mea for the dme arc is listed as 3,600 feet above mean sea level. The sector obstruction clearance altitude is listed as 3,100 feet above mean sea level. Weather for the area, airmet sierra, indicated that mountain tops would be obscured and that ceilings would occasionally be 1,500 feet broken. There were reports of snow showers in the area of sufficient intensity that would not allow the search aircraft to fly through the snow showers. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot in command's improper inflight planning/decision and his attempt to fly VFR through imc conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the snow, whiteout conditions, and darkness.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft Beechjet 400 in Bucharest

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1991 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3123T
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marseille - Bucharest
MSN:
RJ-23
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Bucharest-Otopeni Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with a visibility reduced to 100 metres in fog. The aircraft landed slightly to the right of the runway 26L centerline, causing the right wing to struck a 60 cm high snow wall. The aircraft went out of control and eventually collided with an observation tower. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The approach was continued and the landing was completed in below minima weather conditions. The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Warsaw

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1991 at 1749 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-RIBN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rome - Warsaw
MSN:
47339
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AZ552
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
90
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Warsaw-Okecie Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. On final approach, the copilot suggested the captain to abandon the landing procedure and to initiate a go-around maneuver. The captain dismissed the copilot's suggestion, disengaged the autopilot system and continued the approach when visual contact with the ground was established at an altitude of 400 feet. In a nose-down attitude and at an excessive speed of 155 knots (about 25-30 knots above the recommended speed), the aircraft struck the runway 33 surface nose gear first. The aircraft bounced then veered off runway to the left, rolled on soft ground for about 860 metres and lost its nose gear before coming to rest. All 96 occupants were evacuated, among them three passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who decided to continue the descent while the aircraft was unstable and misaligned with the runway. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the crew to initiate a go-around procedure,
- Unstabilized approach,
- Excessive approach speed,
- Touchdown completed in a nose-down attitude,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2B in Suva

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FEE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Suva - Suva
MSN:
14057
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (one pilot and one instructor) was completing a local training flight at Suva Airport. On approach, the crew failed to lower the landing gear, causing the aircraft to land on its belly. It slid on the runway for few dozen metres before coming to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approach and landing checklist and forgot to lower the landing gear.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Bogotá: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1991 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2716
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Medellín – Bogotá
MSN:
22478
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was ferried from Medellín to Bogotá after repairs were conducted at Medellín Airport following a gear problems last September 23. On approach to Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 20 km north of the airport. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew was approaching the airport at an insufficient altitude. Lack of visibility due to clouds was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20SNA in Élancourt: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
309/F-UGWP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Luxeuil - Vélizy-Villacoublay
MSN:
309
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew departed Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur AFB on a training flight to Vélizy-Villacoublay AFB on behalf of the 'Système de Navigation d’Attaque' (SNA). On approach, both engines lost power and the crew elected to divert to Toussus-le-Noble Airport for an emergency landing. The captain eventually attempted to land on a sports field when the aircraft struck a concrete wall and crashed, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found in Élancourt, about 17 km west of Vélizy-Villacoublay AFB. The aircraft christened 'Étoile du Berger' was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cdt Jean-Luc Luciani,
Cpt Christian Huth,
Cpt Pierre Schmitt,
Lt Philippe Hirson.
Probable cause:
It is believed that both engines lost power on approach after ice detached from both wings surfaces.

Crash of an Embraer C-95C Bandeirante near Guaratinguetá: 16 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1991 at 0815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2333
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Brasília - Guaratinguetá
MSN:
110-473
YOM:
1988
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Brasília at 0600LT on a flight to Guaratinguetá, carrying high ranking officers who should take part to a military parade. On approach to Guaratinguetá Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Pico dos Marins located 33 km northeast of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 16 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the descent under VFR mode in IMC conditions. It was reported that the wrong approach configuration adopted by the crew caused the aircraft to enter a valley which was not mentioned on approach charts. Due to poor visibility because of low clouds, the crew was unable to distinguish the mountain struck by the aircraft. The crew was misled by external factors inherent to weather conditions.

Crash of a Beechcraft Beechjet 400 in Parma

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-ALSU
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
RK-011
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Parma Airport, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 400 metres short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the visibility was below minimums and the aircraft descended below the MDA until ground impact.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Bugulma: 41 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1991 at 0502 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-47823
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nizhnevartovsk - Bugulma
MSN:
17307204
YOM:
1971
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
41
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Nizhnevartovsk on a charter flight to Bugulma, carrying four crew members and 37 employees from an oil company. Weather conditions in Bugulma were poor with clouds down to 80 metres, icing conditions and a visibility of 800 metres. At an altitude of 1,100 metres on approach, the crew encountered icing conditions but did not consider it necessary to activate the deicing systems. Still descending to the altitude of 900 metres, the icing alarm sounded in the cockpit but the captain decided to continue the approach in such configuration. After the crew selected the flaps down to an angle of 30°, he was cleared to land when the aircraft became unstable and departed the approach path to the right. After the aircraft crossed the permissible deviation limit, the crew was instructed by ATC to initiate a go-around procedure. The captain increased engine power and initiated a go-around maneuver when the aircraft adopted a high angle of attack then stalled and pitched down to an angle of 75-80°. At a speed of 260 km/h, the aircraft struck the ground 802 metres short of runway and was destroyed upon impact. The wreckage was found 598 metres to the right of the extended runway centerline and all 41 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Icing conditions and poor weather conditions that were underestimated and misevaluated by the flight crew,
- An excessive accumulation of frost on the stabilizers (up to 15 millimetres),
- Failure of the crew to activate the deicing systems prior to enter the clouds,
- The decision of the captain to continue the approach after the icing alarm sounded,
- The crew selected flaps down to an angle of 30° without inspecting the wings and stabs surfaces, (in icing conditions, flaps should be deployed in 15° max),
- The flaps were not retracted when the crew initiated the go-around procedure, which caused the aircraft to adopt a high angle of attack,
- Poor crew interactions,
- Lack of crew supervision and mutual monitoring and checks.