Crash of an Antonov AN-124-100 in Irkutsk: 68 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1997 at 1442 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08 black
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Irkutsk – Vladivostok – Cam Ranh Bay
MSN:
4516003
YOM:
1992
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
68
Aircraft flight hours:
1034
Aircraft flight cycles:
576
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Irkutsk-2 Airport on a cargo flight to Cam Ranh Bay, with an intermediate stop in Vladivostok, carrying 15 passengers, eight crew members and a load consisting of two Sukhoi SU-27UB fighters to be delivered to the Vietnam Air Force. Three seconds after takeoff from runway 14 at Irkutsk-2 Airport, at a height of 5 metres, the engine n°3 failed. Six seconds later, at a height of 22 metres, both left engines n°1 and 2 also failed. The aircraft pitched up and entered a high angle of attack, climbed to a maximum height of about 66 metres then rolled to the left and crashed onto several buildings located 1,600 metres from the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire as well as several buildings. All 23 occupants and 45 people on the ground were killed. Hundred other people on the ground were injured, some seriously.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined with certainty. It is known that engines of this series had problems with gas-dynamic stability, especially at high angle of attack.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan off Barrow: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1997 at 0808 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N750GC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Barrow - Wainwright
MSN:
208B-0504
YOM:
1996
Flight number:
HAG500
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1466
Circumstances:
The pilot, who was also the station manager, arrived at the airport earlier than other company employees to prepare for a scheduled commuter flight, transporting seven passengers and cargo to another village during hours of arctic, predawn darkness. Heavy frost was described on vehicles and airplanes the morning of the accident, and the lineman who serviced the airplane described a thin glaze of ice on the upper surface of the left wing. The pilot was not observed deicing the airplane prior to flight, and was described by the other employees as in a hurry to depart on time. The pilot directed the lineman to place fuel in the left wing only, which resulted in a fuel imbalance between 450 and 991 pounds (left wing heavy). The first turn after takeoff was into the heavy left wing. The airplane was observed climbing past the end of the runway, and descending vertically into the water. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane or powerplant. The aileron trim indicator was found in the full right wing down position. Postaccident flight tests with left wing heavy lateral fuel imbalances, disclosed that approximately one-half of right wing down aileron control deflection was used to maintain level flight, thus leaving only one-half right wing down aileron control efficacy. Research has shown that frost on airfoils can result in reduced stall angles of attack (often below that required to activate stall warning devices), increases in stall speeds between 20% and 40%, asymmetric stalls resulting in large rolling moments, and differing stall angles of attack for wings with upward and downward deflected ailerons (as when recovering from turns).
Probable cause:
The pilot's disregard for lateral fuel loading limits, his improper removal of frost prior to takeoff, and the resulting inadvertent stall/spin. Factors involved in this accident were the improper asymmetrical fuel loading which reduced lateral aircraft control, the self-induced pressure to takeoff on time by the pilot, and inadequate surveillance of the company operations by company management.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo Porter in Laon: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1997 at 1140 LT
Registration:
F-GHXS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Laon - Laon
MSN:
620
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
1192
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Aircraft flight hours:
20315
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was engaged in a local skydiving flight on behalf of the CERP of Picardie. After takeoff from runway 35, while climbing to a height of about 1,000 feet, the aircraft rolled to the right, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a swampy area located about 1,500 metres east of the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a loss of pitch control of the aircraft following the appearance of extreme forces on the elevator control caused by placing the stabilizer in the full nose down position depth. The actions of the pilot on the flight controls led to this situation of aerodynamic locking of the elevator stabilizer control, presumably interpreted as a mechanical blockage of the system. This phenomenon, specific to airplanes equipped with such a stabilizer system depth and linked to the importance of the forces involved, was it not known to the pilot. The training on PC-6/B2-H4 that the pilot had followed as well as his weak experience on PC-6/B2-H2, associated with the ergonomics of the manual flaps and stabilizer, are contributing factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Lake Elmo

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1997 at 0605 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N916TM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lake Elmo - Minneapolis
MSN:
BA-337
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4450
Captain / Total hours on type:
350.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10530
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that the airplane lifted off at 70 knots. After accelerating in ground effect the airplane became 'unstable in the roll axis' so he added power. He reported that the left wing tip contacted the runway approximately 3/4 the way down the runway. The pilot then added additional power at which point the left wing contacted the grass off the left side of the departure end of the runway. The pilot then reduced the power to idle and landed the airplane in the grass collapsing the landing gear. The pilot reported that the engines sounded normal throughout the accident sequence. Investigation revealed another Beech 18 had taken off on the same runway, but in the opposite direction of N916TM less than one minute prior to the accident.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure identify the unsafe condition (vortex turbulence) which existed due to departing airplane and his subsequent inability to control the airplane once encountering the turbulence.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Ketchikan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1997 at 1747 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4787C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Ketchikan
MSN:
1330
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2071
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
24267
Circumstances:
The float equipped airplane was observed taking off in light winds and calm water, and obtaining a steep climb and nose high attitude. Witnesses described hearing no reduction of engine noise from takeoff power to climb power. The airplane entered a steep left bank about 200 feet above the water, then rolled rapidly to the right and impacted at a steep angle into the water. The airplane had been modified with a Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) kit. Certification flight tests had determined that this modification eliminated aerodynamic warning of impending stalls, and therefore required an audible stall warning. Test results also required the addition of both a ventral fin, and horizontal stabilizer finlets, to meet directional stability certification. These tests determined that the least stable condition was in the takeoff flap configuration, during climb. The Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the modification required the ventral fin, and an audible stall warning system be installed. The manufacturer provided a marketing video, produced prior to the STC approval, which stated the stall warning system was not required in the U.S. The company indicated this tape was used for training, and was a basis for pilots routinely disabling the stall warning horn by pulling the circuit breaker. At the time of the accident, the airplane did not have the ventral fin installed, a takeoff flaps setting was selected, and the audible stall warning circuit breaker was in the pulled (disabled) position. The local FAA Flight Standards Office had inspected the accident airplane 14 times in the previous 29 months, and made no mention of the ventral fin not being installed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's excessive climb and turning maneuver at low altitude, the pilot's inadvertent stall, and the intentional operation of the airplane with the required stall warning system disabled. Factors associated with this accident were the pilot's overconfidence in the modified airplane's ability, the uninstalled ventral fin, inadequate compliance with the STC by the company, unclear information by the manufacturer, and inadequate surveillance by the FAA.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO228-212 in Nguru

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NAF034
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
8230
YOM:
1994
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a ditch. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the loss of control occurred after the aircraft ran into large puddles on runway.

Crash of a Boeing 737-268A in Najran

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1997 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AGM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riyadh – Najran – Sharurah
MSN:
21282
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
SV1861
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
79
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from Najran Airport runway 06/24, at a speed of 95 knots, the right engine thrust suddenly increased. Few seconds later, at a speed of 120 knots, the exhaust gas temperature warning came on in the cockpit panel. The captain decided to abort and initiated an emergency landing procedure. Speed brakes were deployed but the thrust reversers could not be activated. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and right engine before coming to rest. All 85 occupants evacuated safely.

Crash of a SIAI-Marchetti SF.600TP Canguro off Fortune Island: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1997 at 0800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C1298
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
008
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew consisting of pilots and technicians were completing a training flight after PADC just acquired this aircraft. Shortly after takeoff from Fortune Island, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea. SAR operations were initiated and few debris were found floating on water three days later. All five occupants perished.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90A King Air in Wildeshausen: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
D-ITCH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
LJ-1138
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff, the twin engine aircraft collided with trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. Takeoff from Ahlhorn?

Crash of a Beriev Be-103 in Moscow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-37019
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moscow - Moscow
MSN:
30 01
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a demonstration flight while taking part to the MAKS-97 Airshow at Moscow-Zhukovsky Airport. On takeoff, he lost control of the airplane that crashed by the runway. The pilot was killed.