Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in South Haven: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 2022 at 1030 LT
Registration:
N9784Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
South Haven - South Haven
MSN:
60-0416-143
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3250
Copilot / Total flying hours:
28500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
11197
Circumstances:
A friend of the copilot reported this was the multiengine airplane’s first flight since the (single engine-rated) copilot purchased it five years before the accident. He stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct touch-and-go landings. Another (multiengine-rated) pilot was flying in the left seat, with the copilot flying in the right seat. On the day of the accident, when the friend arrived at the airport, he noticed that the airplane was not in the traffic pattern. After a few hours, he became concerned and reported the airplane missing to local authorities, and it was found the next morning in a heavily wooded area about one mile away from the airport. There were no witnesses to the accident. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane’s left propeller displayed signatures indicative of low rotational speed at impact, suggesting that the airplane’s left engine may have lost at least partial power. The right propeller showed signatures consistent with high rotational speed/power settings at the time of impact. Examination of the left engine’s fuel servo revealed that it was heavily contaminated with sediment and that the fuel pump had weak suction and compression. Either or both of these conditions could have reduced the left engine’s performance during the flight. Additionally, the airplane was found with its wing flaps extended, the landing gear not retracted, and the left engine’s propeller was not feathered. A representative from the airplane’s type certificate holder stated that, depending on the airplane’s takeoff weight, it generally could not maintain level flight during an engine-out condition unless the flaps and landing gear were up and the failed engine’s propeller was feathered. While there were no witnesses to the accident or other recorded data to suggest what flight regime the airplane was in when the loss of engine power occurred, given the stated purpose of the flight and the findings of the post accident examination of the wreckage, it is likely that, while maneuvering the airplane in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane’s left engine lost power and the airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. Given the configuration of the wing flaps and landing gear and the unfeathered position of the left propeller, it is likely that the airplane’s single-engine performance was degraded.
Probable cause:
A loss of power to the left engine due to contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to properly configure the airplane for flight with one engine inoperative.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver I in Anchorage

Date & Time: Jul 26, 2022 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9776R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anchorage - King Salmon
MSN:
1126
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1709
Captain / Total hours on type:
142.00
Aircraft flight hours:
16072
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, he was departing in the float-equipped airplane in strong gusty wind conditions. After accelerating on the water for about 3 seconds, the airplane suddenly became airborne and crabbed into the wind about 60° to 90° from the intended takeoff path and started to climb as it continued to track away from the intended flight path. As the climb continued, the airplane stalled and impacted the water in a nose low attitude which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in the wing exceeding its critical angle of attack, a loss of control and impact with the water.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo in Santiago de Querétaro: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 2022 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N28DF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Santiago de Querétaro – Morelia
MSN:
31-7812121
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Santiago de Querétaro Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed inverted in a maize field located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Río Grande: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 2022 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-BPA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Río Grande – San Fernando
MSN:
35-143
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
9338
Captain / Total hours on type:
2122.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6913
Copilot / Total hours on type:
717
Aircraft flight hours:
13917
Aircraft flight cycles:
13170
Circumstances:
The airplane was returning to its base in San Fernando following an ambulance flight from Comodoro Rivadavia to Río Grande. After takeoff from Río Grande-Gobernador Ramón Trejo Noel Airport runway 26, while in initial climb, the airplane rolled to the left, nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion about 350 metres south from the runway 08 threshold. The wreckage was found 1,870 metres from the runway 26 threshold and 300 metres to its left. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed.
Crew:
Claudio Canelo, pilot,
Héctor Vittore, copilot.
Passengers:
Diego Ciolfi, doctor,
Denise Torres Garcá, nurse.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD at Dyagilevo AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 2022 at 0305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-78778
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dyagilevo AFB - Belgorod
MSN:
00834 89659
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Dyagilevo AFB (Ryazan) on a night flight apparently to Belgorod, carrying nine crew members. After takeoff, the engine n°4 caught fire. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing but the aircraft went out of control and crashed about one km from the airbase, bursting into flames. Four crew members were seriously injured and five others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 in Deadmans Cay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 2022 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N711JW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Deadmans Cay - Nassau
MSN:
31-7712084
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
7102
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Deadmans Cay Airport Runway 09, while climbing, both engines lost power simultaneously. The airplane went out of control, impacted trees and crashed some 3 km northwest of the airfield. The airplane came to rest in bushes and was destroyed by impact forces. There was no fire. Among the seven people on board, a woman passenger was killed and six other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The AAIA has determined the probable cause of this accident to be Loss of Power (Dual) resulting in a loss of control inflight (LOC-I), and subsequent uncontrolled flight into terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of an Airbus A319-115 in Chongqing

Date & Time: May 12, 2022 at 0805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
B-6425
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chongqing – Nyingchi
MSN:
5157
YOM:
2012
Flight number:
TV9833
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
113
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
28364
Aircraft flight cycles:
14495
Circumstances:
The airplane was departing Chongqing-Jiangbei Airport on a regular schedule service to Nyingchi, Tibet, carrying 113 passengers and a crew of nine. During the takeoff roll on runway 03, at a speed of 145 knots (just below V1 speed), the captain encountered an unexpected situation and decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. He initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre when the airplane started to deviate to the left. It veered off runway and went through a grassy area. While contacting the parallel concrete taxiway, the nose gear was sheared off. The airplane continued for 120 metres when it impacted a drainage ditch, causing both main landing gears and both engines to be sheared off as well. The airplane later came into a stop, bursting into flames. 36 occupants were injured while all others evacuated safely. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that, during the takeoff run, the captain was distracted by items falling, and momentarily lost the monitoring of the aircraft's flight sequence. During this short period of time, he unconsciously held the left rudder, which resulted in an unintended deviation of the aircraft to the left direction. After he noticed the deviation, the crew failed to execute the standard callouts, and the captain reduced the throttle in an attempt to abort the takeoff. Due to the combined effects of maximum braking force and inertia, the crew was unable to maintain a safe control, causing the airplane to veer off the runway to the left at a speed of approximately 127 knots. Poor decision makings on part of the crew was considered as the main cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in Boituva: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 2022 at 1213 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-OQR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Boituva - Boituva
MSN:
208-0219
YOM:
1992
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Boituva Aerodrome on a local skydiving mission, carrying 14 skydivers and one pilot. After takeoff, the pilot apparently encountered electrical problems and elected to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the aircraft collided with high tension wires, stalled and crashed inverted in a field. Two passengers were killed while all other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Houston

Date & Time: May 6, 2022 at 1418 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XB-FQS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Houston – San Antonio
MSN:
421C-0085
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4025
Captain / Total hours on type:
951.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5197
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, before the flight, the airplane was fueled with 140 gallons of Jet A fuel. Shortly after takeoff, both engines lost total power. Because the airplane had insufficient altitude to return to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the left wing sustained substantial damage. A postcrash fire ensued. The investigation determined that the airplane was inadvertently fueled with Jet A fuel rather than AVGAS, which was required for the airplane’s reciprocating engines. The line service worker who fueled the airplane reported that there were no decals at the airplane fuel ports; however, postaccident examination of the airplane found that a decal specifying AVGAS was present at the right-wing fuel port. The investigation could not determine whether the same or a similar decal was present at the left-wing fuel port because the left wing was partially consumed during the postimpact fire.
Probable cause:
The fixed-base operator’s incorrect fueling of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Covington: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 2022 at 1844 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N84GR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Covington - Covington
MSN:
340-0178
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
0.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3148
Copilot / Total hours on type:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
7581
Circumstances:
The student pilot, who was the new owner of the multi-engine airplane, and a private pilot flew commercially to Lubbock, Texas, utilized a ride-hailing service to drive to Portales, New Mexico; they met with the former owner of the airplane to finalize the purchase of the airplane and flew it back to Georgia the same day. The next day, the student pilot commenced flight training with the private pilot who offered to provide flight instruction to the student pilot in the student pilot’s newly acquired multi-engine airplane, even though he did not possess a flight instructor’s rating or a multi-engine airplane rating. Radar data showed that the track of the accident airplane's route consisted of their departure airport, a midway stop, and the third leg of the flight, where it crashed during the approach to their destination airport. Witnesses observed a sharp right turn before the airplane’s spiraling descent and impact with terrain and unoccupied semi-trailers. Surveillance footage from a parking lot security camera captured the airplane in a right spiral turn just before the accident. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and the postimpact fire. The postaccident examination of the airframe, engines, and propellers revealed no anomalies that would preclude normal engine and airplane performance. Additionally, a review of the maintenance logbook revealed that the airplane was overdue for its annual maintenance inspection; no special flight permit (ferry permit) was obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its return flight to Georgia. Toxicological testing of the student pilot revealed the presence amphetamine, a prescription Schedule II controlled substance that may result in cognitive deficits that pose a risk to aviation safety; however, its effect, if any on the accident flight could not be determined. It is likely that the private pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control was exacerbated by his lack of a multi-engine airplane rating, his lack of a flight instructor rating, and his poor decision making.
Probable cause:
The private pilot’s loss of control in flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s decision to obtain flight instruction from the private pilot and the private pilot's insufficient qualifications to fly or to provide flight instruction in a multi-engine airplane.
Final Report: