Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Cambridge: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1995 at 0512 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N166CP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cambridge - Baltimore
MSN:
46-8408024
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
9600
Aircraft flight hours:
6089
Circumstances:
The airplane collided with trees shortly after takeoff and came to rest in a church yard. There were no witnesses to the crash; however, several local residents heard the airplane overfly their homes at a low altitude. One resident stated that he heard the airplane collide with the trees. Another resident stated that he heard the engine operating as the airplane flew low overhead. Both residents reported that reduced visibility hampered their ability to find the wreckage. One resident estimated that the visibility was about 50 to 60 feet. The prescribed takeoff minimums for that airport is 300 feet and 1 mile visibility. Examination of the airplane did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The commercial/instrument rated pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate altitude/clearance during the initial climb after takeoff. Related factors are the pilot's poor planning/decision making, and the fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Tabora

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1995 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5H-TZB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
402B-0444
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tabora Airfield, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed 130 metres past the runway end. All six occupants were injured.

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63CF in Kansas City: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1995 at 2027 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N782AL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kansas City - Westover
MSN:
45929
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
9741
Captain / Total hours on type:
4483.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4460
Copilot / Total hours on type:
218
Aircraft flight hours:
77096
Aircraft flight cycles:
22404
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed immediately after liftoff during a three-engine takeoff. Flightcrew had shortened rest break; rest periods not required for ferry flights. Flight crew fatigue from lack of rest, sleep, and disruption of circadian rhythms. Flightcrew did not have adequate, realistic training in three-engine takeoff techniques or procedures. Flight crew did not adequately understand three-engine takeoff procedures, including significance of vmcg. Flight engineer improperly determined vmcg speed, resulting in value 9 knots too low. During first takeoff attempt, captain applied power to asymmetrical engine too soon, was unable to maintain directional control, and rejected the takeoff. Captain agreed to modify procedure by allowing flight engineer to advance throttle, a deviation of prescribed procedure. FAA oversight of operator was inadequate because the poi and geographic inspectors were unable to effectively monitor domestic crew training and international operations. Existing far part 121 flight time limits & rest requirements that pertained to the flights that the flightcrew flew prior to the ferry flights did not apply to the ferry flights flown under far part 91. Current one-engine inoperative takeoff procedures do not provide adequate rudder availability for correcting directional deviations during the takeoff roll compatible with the achievement of maximum asymmetric thrust at an appropriate speed greater than ground minimum control speed. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The loss of directional control by the pilot in command during the takeoff roll, and his decision to continue the takeoff and initiate a rotation below the computed rotation airspeed, resulting in a premature liftoff, further loss of control and collision with the terrain.
- The flightcrew's lack of understanding of the three-engine takeoff procedures, and their decision to modify those procedures.
- The failure of the company to ensure that the flightcrew had adequate experience, training, and rest to conduct the nonroutine flight. Contributing to the accident was the inadequacy of Federal Aviation Administration oversight of air transport international and federal aviation administration flight and duty time regulations that permitted a substantially reduced flightcrew rest period when conducting a non revenue ferry flight under 14 code of federal regulations part 91.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Grand Canyon: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1995 at 1536 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N27245
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Grand Canyon - Las Vegas
MSN:
31-7752121
YOM:
1977
Flight number:
6G45
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
5086
Captain / Total hours on type:
480.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13367
Circumstances:
The charter flight was on a return tour trip after landing at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. No fueling or maintenance was performed on the airplane while it sat on the ground for three hours. Shortly after takeoff from runway 21, the pilot transmitted that he had a problem and was declaring an emergency. He then stated '...I'm single engine right now....' The airplane was observed to be 100-200 feet above the terrain at the time. It continued flying for about 6 minutes, turning onto a crosswind, downwind, and then a right base leg for runway 21 before colliding with trees about 2.5 miles northeast of the airport. The airport is located in terrain that slopes upward from south to north and west to east. Winds were gusting to 29 knots. The density altitude was 6,870 feet. Examination of the suspect left engine did not reveal any evidence of failures or malfunctions. The investigation revealed deficiencies in the Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of the airline's maintenance program, and in the airline's extension of the time-in-service interval of the engines. The airline's AAIP does not require a maximum rated power check of the engines as required by the engine manufacturer's service instruction. In addition, the TBO of the engines had been extended from 1,800 to 2,400 hours.
Probable cause:
A loss of power on one engine for an undetermined reason(s), and the pilot's improper decision to return to the departure airport for landing which necessitated maneuvering over increasingly higher terrain. Factors in the accident were: the high gusting wind, the high density altitude, the rising terrain, and the reduced single-engine performance capability of the airplane under these conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fletcher FU-24-400 in Mangakino

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-BIF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mangakino - Mangakino
MSN:
33
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Mangakino, while climbing, the single engine aircraft collided with power cables and crashed in a field. The pilot was injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Cafunfo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1995
Operator:
Registration:
D2-ECH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda - Cafunfo
MSN:
BB-345
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After landing at Cafunfo Airport and while taxiing to the ramp, the crew heard several explosions outside the airport as UNITA rebels were approaching the airstrip. In such conditions, the crew decided to return to Luanda and expedited a takeoff. After departure, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft was hit by a Stinger missile that struck the right engine. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airport, bursting into flames. Two passengers were killed while four other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Stinger missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B in Sambailo

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
UN-26080
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
117311709
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from Sambailo Airport, at a speed of 180 km/h, the pilot-in-command realized he could not takeoff so he initiated an emergency braking procedure. As a distance of 350 metres was remaining, the aircraft was unable to stop within the distance, overran and came to rest. All 24 occupants escaped unhurt.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures and failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist. The aircraft was unable to gain sufficient speed because the parking brake was not fully released.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in New Hudson

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1995 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N618K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New Hudson - Port Huron
MSN:
AF-759
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4386
Captain / Total hours on type:
52.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1050
Copilot / Total hours on type:
60
Aircraft flight hours:
1928
Circumstances:
The pilot-in-command stated that shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 150 feet above the ground over a stand of trees, the left engine lost power. The pilots made a hard forced landing in a field, skidded and came to a stop against a farm building. The power loss occurred over a wooded area. Postaccident examination revealed the left engine driven fuel pump shaft had failed. Airplane records indicated the most recent maintenance occurred in november 1991. The airplane had flown 148 hours since that date.
Probable cause:
The owner/pilot's inadequate maintenance practices which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and the pilot's inadequate emergency procedure after the power loss occurred. Related factors are trees, diminished airspeed and abrupt touchdown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B-2 in Karachi

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UN-85455
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Karachi - Almaty
MSN:
80A455
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
105
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Karachi-Quaid-e-Azam Airport, at a speed of 270-280 km/h, the pilot-in-command pulled up on the control column to start the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. The crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, rolled for about 500 metres then lost its nose gear and came to rest. All 117 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures. The mass and balance sheet was incorrect. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was six tons above MTOW and the CofG as too far forward.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Krasnoyarsk: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1995 at 1913 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-67120
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Krasnoyarsk - Abakan
MSN:
79 03 16
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After liftoff from runway 30 at Krasnoyarsk-Iemilianovo Airport, while climbing at a speed of 165 km/h, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It collided with 25 metres tall trees located about 1,000 metres past the runway end, rolled to the right and crashed in a wooded area, some 450 metres to the right of the extended centerline. Both pilots and a passenger were killed.
Probable cause:
A two-fold decrease in the operating mode of the starboard engine during takeoff, caused by the actuation of the limiting system of the starboard engine and caused, most likely, with the achievement of MCR limit values, or with a failure that caused the system to be connected with the issuance of a false signal to reduce the speed of the gas generator. The activation of the system according to the MCR should have been preceded by its connection to work, which could have occurred as a result of an out-of-order connection of the limiter unit with the automatic protection circuit breakers AZRGK TSEBO turned off or when taking off with the AZRGK TSEBO turned on. The manifestation of a refusal in this flight could be facilitated by shortcomings in the activities of the ATB personnel of the Abakan aviation enterprise. Also, the decision of the crew to takeoff while the total weight of the aircraft was 280 kilos above MTOW.