Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Sioux Lookout: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1995 at 1330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GYPZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sioux Lookout - Red Lake
MSN:
31-7652168
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
SNY3101
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1250
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6784
Circumstances:
Bearskin flight 362, a Fairchild Swearingen Metro 23, departed Red Lake, Ontario, at 1300 central daylight saving time (CDT), with two pilots and one passenger on board, en route to Sioux Lookout on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. At approximately 30 nautical miles (nm) north of Sioux Lookout, the flight was cleared by the Winnipeg area control centre (ACC) for an approach to the Sioux Lookout airport. Air Sandy flight 3101, a Piper Navajo PA-31, departed Sioux Lookout at 1323 with one pilot and four passengers on board en route to Red Lake on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The pilot of Air Sandy 3101 reported clear of the Sioux Lookout control zone at 1326. No other communication was heard from the Air Sandy flight. At 1315 the Winnipeg ACC controller advised the Sioux Lookout Flight Service specialist that Bearskin 362 was inbound from Red Lake, estimating Sioux Lookout at 1332. At 1327, Bearskin 362 called Sioux Lookout Flight Service Station (FSS) and advised them they had been cleared for an approach and that they were cancelling IFR at 14 nm from the airport. At 1328, as Sioux Lookout FSS was giving an airport advisory to Bearskin 362, the specialist heard an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) emit a signal on the emergency frequencies. Moments later, the pilot of Bearskin 305, a Beechcraft B-99 in the vicinity of Sioux Lookout, advised the specialist that he had just seen a bright flare in the sky and that he was going to investigate. The pilot of Bearskin 305 stated that the flare had fallen to the ground and a fire was burning in a wooded area. A communications search was initiated to locate Bearskin 362, but the aircraft did not respond. A Search and Rescue aircraft from Trenton, Ontario, and an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) helicopter were dispatched to the site. The source of the fire was confirmed to be the Air Sandy aircraft. The MNR helicopter noticed debris and a fuel slick on a nearby lake, Lac Seul. It was later confirmed that Bearskin 362 had crashed into the lake. (See Appendix A.) The two aircraft collided in mid-air at 1328 during the hours of daylight at latitude 50º14'N and longitude 92º07'W, in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). All three persons on board the Bearskin aircraft and all five persons on board the Air Sandy aircraft were fatally injured.
Probable cause:
Neither flight crew saw the other aircraft in time to avoid the collision. Contributing to the occurrence were the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept which preclude the effective separation of aircraft with high closure rates, the fact that neither crew was directly alerted to the presence of the other aircraft by the Flight Service specialist or by onboard electronic equipment, and an apparent lack of pilot understanding of how to optimize avoidance manoeuvring.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Tyugalbuga

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-40845
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tyugalbuga - Tyugalbuga
MSN:
1G174-23
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On takeoff for a crop-spraying flight from an airstrip near Tyugalbuga (Novaya Malykla district of the Ulyanovsk region) with tail and cross wind when deviated from the take off direction to the left. The aircraft veered off runway, ran into a one meter high dung heap and came to rest against a pile of manure. Both pilots escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Espinal

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1995 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-3675
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Espinal - Bogotá
MSN:
214
YOM:
1954
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
242
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
208
Copilot / Total hours on type:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
28843
Aircraft flight cycles:
8030
Circumstances:
The aircraft had been stolen in December 1992 and was later found abandoned at Espinal Airfield. SEC Colombia bought it and completed an in-site C1 check before transferring it to Bogotá-El Dorado Airport. While taking off from runway 26 ( gravel strip of 1,010 metres long), the aircraft deviated to the left and failed to lift off. It overran, crossed a road and came to rest 275 metres further, bursting into flames. All four crew members were able to escape and were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the gravel runway 26 at Espinal Airfield was inappropriate for such type of aircraft. The runway was certified for agricultural aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 4,400 pounds while the Convair's takeoff weight was 38,888 pounds. The probable cause of this accident was the decision of the crew to take off from a runway unfit for this flight, finding a lack of performance on the soft surface, which prevented it to reach the VMCA, V1, VR, V2 speeds. The authorization by the company SEC to carry out a takeoff from a runway unfit for the flight was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Transall C-160 in Calvi

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1995 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F222
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Calvi - Solenzara
MSN:
F225
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Calvi-Sainte Catherine Airport, en route to Solenzara Airbase, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a very steep mountain slope located near Occhiatana, about 12 km from Calvi. the wreckage was found at an altitude of 1,300 metres near the Bocca di Battaglia Plateau. All six crew members were evacuated, among them two were injured.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Iquitos: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1995 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1498
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Iquitos - Iquitos
MSN:
0049
YOM:
1992
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight on behalf of the Peruvian Air Force. Shortly after takeoff from Moronacocha Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Palana

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-26049
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Palana – Pakhachi
MSN:
109 02
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Palana Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain speed. The crew decided to abort but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and rolled for about 400 metres before coming to rest against a snow bank. All nine occupants were injured, three of them seriously.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was unable to gain sufficient speed after the crew failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist and forgot to release the parking brake.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Kenema: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, the single engine aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a cotton field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of an Airbus A310-324 in Bucharest: 60 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1995 at 0908 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YR-LCC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bangkok - Abu Dhabi - Bucharest - Brussels
MSN:
450
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
RO371
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
49
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
60
Captain / Total flying hours:
14312
Captain / Total hours on type:
1735.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8988
Copilot / Total hours on type:
650
Aircraft flight hours:
31092
Aircraft flight cycles:
6216
Circumstances:
Tarom flight 371 was a scheduled passenger service from Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) in Romania to Brussel Airport (BRU), Belgium. On board were 49 passengers and eleven crew members. The first officer was pilot flying, the captain was pilot monitoring. Following de-icing, the Airbus A310 taxied to runway 08R for departure. The flight was cleared via the Strejnic 'STJ' VOR/DME beacon and an initial climb to flight level 260. Takeoff was initiated at 09:04 hours local time. When airborne, the captain announced positive climb and co-pilot requested to retract the landing gear. At 09:07:20 the captain called the Otopeni Approach controller and received a clearance to turn left and proceed direct to STJ. The co-pilot asked the captain to select direct STJ on FMS. The captain confirmed a direct STJ selection and requested the co-pilot to move the control wheel slightly. At an altitude of 1700 feet and speed a 187 knots, with flaps 15/slats 15 and pitch angle of 17.6 degrees, the aircraft was turning left, with a bank angle of 12 degrees, flying towards STJ. At 09:07:36, when the aircraft crossed 2000 feet at 188 knots, an engine thrust asymmetry started developing with continuous decrease of the left engine thrust, approximately 1 degree TRA (throttle resolver angle)/second. At 09:07:53, when the aircraft was crossing 3300 feet altitude at 195 kts turning with a decreasing bank angle of 20 degrees, the first officer called "250 in sight" and asked the captain to retract the flaps. This was carried out. At that moment, the engine thrust asymmetry reached 14.5 TRA degrees and 0.19 for EPRs. The first officer then requested slats retraction, but this action which was not carried out by the captain. At this moment the aircraft was passing through 013 degrees magnetic heading, at 3800 feet altitude and a decreasing speed of 185 kts. The aircraft pitch angle was 16,5 degrees, decreasing, and the left bank angle was 18 degrees, also decreasing. At that time the thrust asymmetry reached was 28 TRA degrees and 0.27 for EPRs. At 09:08:02, the first officer asked the captain: "Are you all right?" The aircraft was passing through 330 degrees magnetic heading, 4200 ft altitude, a decreasing speed of 181 kts, and an increasing 17 degrees left bank angle. At 09:08:08, a noise like an uttering of pain or a metallic noise was heard. The aircraft was crossing 4460 ft altitude, 179 kts speed and an increasing bank angle of 22 degrees. At that time the engines thrust asymmetry reached 0.36 for EPRs. The bank angle continued to increase to 28 degrees and the engine thrust asymmetry reached 0.41 for EPRs. At 09:08:15, the first officer, with a stressed and agitated voice, requested engagement of autopilot no. 1. The aircraft was crossing 4620-ft altitude, continuing its turn at an increasing bank angle of 43 degrees and a steadily decreasing pitch angle of 3.5 degrees. One of the pilots attempted to engage autopilot no. 1 The aircraft started a descent with 45 degrees bank angle and the engine thrust asymmetry had reached the maximum value of 0.42 for EPRs, followed by a continuous thrust reduction of engine n°2. One second later, there was recorded autopilot disengagement followed by the aural warning a level 3 "cavalry charge" lasting several moments. From that moment on, the aircraft started diving, the speed increased and the aircraft performed a complete rotation around its roll axis. At 09:08.28, first officer cried out "THAT ONE HAS FAILED!" without any other comments. The aircraft was descending through 3600 ft at 258 kts speed and an increasing nose down pitch angle at 61.5 degrees. The aircraft continued until it impacted the ground at a nose down attitude of approximately 50 degrees pitch angle with both engines at idle power. The airplane was destroyed and all 60 occupants were sustained fatal injuries.
Probable cause:
The following factors were reported:
- Thrust asymmetry,
- Possible incapacitation of the captain,
- Insufficient corrective action from the copilot in order to cover the consequences of the first factors.
The French Ministry of Transport commented on the Romanian investigation report, stating that the pilot flying's actions that led to the loss of control could have been caused by the fact that the artificial horizon between Eastern and Western built aircraft is inverted in roll and that the first officer spent the majority of his career on Eastern-built aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80-8800 Excalibur in Hamilton: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1995 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-TIK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamilton – New Plymouth
MSN:
LD-249
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
1099
Captain / Total hours on type:
71.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
587
Aircraft flight cycles:
10137
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Hamilton Airport runway 36 on a scheduled service to New Plymouth on behalf of Eagle Airways. Six minutes after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Four minutes later, the right turn failed as well. The airplane lost height and crashed in an open field located 9 km from Hamilton Airport. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines after the crew failed to realize that the fuel selector was positioned on the wrong fuel tank. The following contributing factors were reported:
- After the second engine failure, the crew failed to plan effectively for a forced landing, and ultimately failed to maintain controlled flight,
- Probable factors contributing to these failures include: workload, time pressure, unfamiliarity with the situation in which they found themselves and inexperience on type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Santa Cruz: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1995
Registration:
CP-1947
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santa Cruz – Santa Ana del Yacuma
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from El Trompillo Airport, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, struck a tree and crashed onto several houses located in a populated area by the airport. Debris were found on a large area and all seven occupants were killed as well as three people on the ground. Five other people on the ground were injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an engine failure for unknown reasons.