Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 Marquise in São Paulo

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LTC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
314
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, the crew encountered an engine failure and decided to abort. The airplane was stopped on the main runway and all five occupants escaped uninjured. However, debris punctured a fuel tank and the aircraft caught fire and was severely damaged by fire and later written off.
Probable cause:
Uncontained failure on takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Altoona: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1998 at 1304 LT
Registration:
N60721
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Altoona – Syracuse
MSN:
61-0736-8063360
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1100
Circumstances:
Shortly after the airplane took off, a witness about 1 mile from the airport observed the airplane about 150 feet above the ground in a left turn, before it disappeared into the clouds. A witness across from where the airplane crashed stated he was in his shed when he heard the sound of an airplane overhead. When the sound faded and returned, like the airplane had circled above the shed, he stepped outside and looked for the airplane. He saw the airplane exit the clouds in a near vertical position and impact the ground. He described the engine noise as loud and smooth. The airplane impacted in a field about 3/4 miles from the departure airport and was consumed by a post crash fire. Streaks of oil were observed on the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer extending to its upper and lower surfaces. Disassembly of both engines did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. A weather observation taken after the accident reported included a visibility of 2 miles with light drizzle and mist, and the ceiling was 400 foot overcast. Witnesses described the weather at the accident site as '...pretty foggy,' and worse than the conditions reported at the airport.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the low ceiling.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Little Falls: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1998 at 1831 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N541N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Little Falls - Little Falls
MSN:
421A-0161
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
A witness reported the airplane did not climb above 200 feet and reported seeing the airplane 'wobbling up and down' as it attempted to climb. He reported the airplane went into a sharp left bank and nose dived down. The airplane burned upon impact. The wreckage was located in a wooded area about 3/4 mile from the approach end of runway 30. Numerous open farm fields were located near the airplane's flight path. The winds were reported at 240 degrees at 22 knots gusting to 29 knots. The wreckage path was on a 040 heading and covered about 190 feet from initial tree impact to the location of the main wreckage. The engine inspection did not reveal any anomalies to either engine. The flight was the first maintenance check flight after the airplane had not been flown for 14 months. During maintenance the pilot had put about 100 gallons of water in the left main and left auxiliary fuel tanks to locate a fuel leak. A plug was installed in the left auxiliary fuel drain valve and the fuel tank could not be checked during preflight for fuel contamination without removing the plug.
Probable cause:
The pilot's continued operation with a known deficiency in equipment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in North Platte

Date & Time: May 28, 1998 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N888AA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
North Platte - Kearney
MSN:
414-0468
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2353
Captain / Total hours on type:
312.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6159
Circumstances:
The airplane had just taken off and was at approximately 300 agl when the right engine 'had a sudden and catastrophic failure.' The right propeller stopped spinning with the blades in the low-pitch position. The pilot initiated a right turn back toward the airport, but the airplane would not maintain altitude. The pilot rolled out of the turn, but the descent continued until the airplane struck the trees. Examination of the airplane's right engine revealed that the crankshaft was broken at the number 3 short cheek, just forward of the number two cylinder piston rod. The number two crankshaft bearing was broken and melted. The oil feed line to the number two bearing was blocked by a piece of the broken bearing. The Single Engine Climb Data table in the Cessna 414 Pilot's Operating Handbook indicates that an airplane weighing 5,680 pounds, with gear and flaps retracted and the inoperative propeller in feather, operating at a density altitude of 5,055 feet, will have a best climb indicated airspeed of 115 knots. The rate of climb will be 308 feet per minute.
Probable cause:
The slipped number two bearing in the airplane's right engine, which blocked the bearing's oil feed line, causing the bearing and the crankshaft to overheat and fracture. A factor contributing to this accident was the trees.
Final Report:

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12 II near Erdenet: 28 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1998 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JU-1017
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Erdenet – Mörön
MSN:
0064
YOM:
1992
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Erdenet Airport, while climbing in low visibility due to poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain (2,800 metres high) located few km west of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 28 occupants were killed, 16 adults and 12 children.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Friendship 4000 in Kendari

Date & Time: May 15, 1998 at 1103 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-MGT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kendari - Ujung Pandang
MSN:
11193
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
MZ715
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Kendari-Wolter Monginsidi Airport, at Vr speed, the cargo door warning light illuminated on the cockpit panel. The captain decided to abort and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest 200 metres further. All 64 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Xian Yunsunji Y-7H-500 in Néma: 39 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1998 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Néma - Nouakchott
MSN:
00 7H 03
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to Nouakchott with 35 passengers and seven crew members who accompanied the President of the Republic of Mauritania on an official visit of the Hodh Ech Chargui Region. All passengers were members of the Mauritanian Army fanfare. Shortly after a night takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. Three passengers were seriously injured while 39 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after one of the engine failed for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Lanseria

Date & Time: May 4, 1998
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-JRR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
421C-0141
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Lanseria Airport, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Boeing 727-230 in Bogotá: 53 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1998 at 1645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BSU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá - Quito
MSN:
21622
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
AF422
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
43
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
53
Captain / Total flying hours:
5062
Captain / Total hours on type:
2296.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7872
Copilot / Total hours on type:
528
Aircraft flight hours:
34586
Aircraft flight cycles:
26475
Circumstances:
The flight from Bogotá to Quito was completed by TAME on a wet-lease contract for Air France, second leg from the AF422 flight from Paris to Quito via Bogotá operated by an Airbus A340. After takeoff from runway 13 at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the crew was cleared for a Girardot 1 departure that consist of continuing on runway heading for 2 miles after takeoff, followed by a 90° right turn over the Romeo beacon. For unknown reasons, the crew continued straight forward until the aircraft impacted the Mt El Cable located ahead of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 53 occupants were killed, among them 25 European Nationals, seven Italians, six French, three Danish, three Spanish, two Germans, two Austrians, one British and one Swiss. The wreckage was found 50 metres below the summit. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with rain, clouds at 2,300 feet and CB's.
Probable cause:
The crew suffered a loss of situational awareness after takeoff while climbing in IMC conditions. The crew failed to comply with the Girardot 1 departure procedure, deviated from the published departure procedures and maintain runway heading until the aircraft collided with terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Novaya Derevnya

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-02247
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Novaya Derevnya - Novaya Derevnya
MSN:
1G235-18
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Novaya Derevnya, while climbing to a height of about 10 metres, the aircraft rolled to the left to an angle of 35°, lost height and crashed into trees located 145 metres further. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled during initial climb because snow and ice/frost remained on the wings, tail and fuselage. The following factors were identified:
- The crew failed to inspect the aircraft prior to takeoff,
- The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures,
- The crew failed to proceed to an appropriate pre-takeoff deicing/cleaning.