Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Ocumare del Tuy: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 2006 at 1143 LT
Registration:
YV-1220
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Ocumare del Tuy - Puerto Ayacucho
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Ocumare del Tuy Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing in a city center's avenue. Just prior to landing, the single engine aircraft collided with a telephone line and crashed on an autobus. The pilot, the bus driver and a bus passenger were killed. The pilot departed Ocumare del Tuy Airport on a cargo flight to Puerto Ayacucho.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Big Bear Lake: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 2006 at 1013 LT
Registration:
N642BD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Big Bear Lake - Las Vegas
MSN:
421B-0658
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4700
Aircraft flight hours:
4556
Circumstances:
Witnesses said that it appeared that the left engine sustained a loss of power just after rotation and liftoff. The airplane initially had a positive rate of climb, but then immediately yawed to the left as it cleared 30-foot-high power lines that were perpendicular across the flight path. The airport is at the east end of a lake in a mountain valley; the airplane departed to the west and was flying over the lake. The airplane was about 2 miles from the runway when witnesses observed dark smoke coming from the left engine, and the smoke increased significantly as the flight continued. The airplane banked hard left with the wings perpendicular to the ground, and then nosed in vertically. The landing gear remained down throughout the accident sequence. On site examination revealed that the top spark plugs for the left engine were black and sooty. A detailed examination revealed that the left turbocharger turbine wheel shaft fractured and separated. Extreme oxidation of the fracture surfaces prevented identification of the failure mode; however, the oxidation was the result of high temperature exposure indicating that the fracture occurred while the turbocharger was at elevated temperature during operation. The multiple planes exhibited by the fracture also were not consistent with a ductile torsional failure as would be expected from a sudden stoppage of either rotor. No evidence of a mechanical malfunction was noted to the right engine. The Cessna Owners Manual for the airplane notes that the most critical time for an engine failure is a 2-3 second period late in the takeoff while the airplane is accelerating from the minimum single-engine control speed of 87 KIAS to a safe single-engine speed of 106 KIAS. Although the airplane is controllable at the minimum control speed, the airplane's performance is so far below optimum that continued flight near the ground is improbable. Once 106 KIAS is achieved, altitude can more easily be maintained while the pilot retracts the landing gear and feathers the propeller. The best single-engine rate-of-climb is 108 KIAS with flaps up below 18,000 feet msl. Section VI of the manual provides operational data for single-engine climb capability. The data was only valid for the following conditions: gear and flaps retracted, inoperative propeller feathered, wing banked 5 degrees toward the operating engine, 39.5 inches of manifold pressure if below 18,000 feet, and mixture at recommended fuel flow.
Probable cause:
Failure of the turbine wheel shaft in the left turbocharger during the takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to attain and maintain safe single engine airspeed that led to a loss of control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader in Mill Creek: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 2006 at 2003 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N611BB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
South Bend - Ankeny
MSN:
303-00145
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
504
Aircraft flight hours:
4577
Circumstances:
The pilot departed his home airport at 0502 and landed at another airport where he picked up employees of a marketing company to fly them to an out of state meeting. The accident occurred at 2003 shortly after taking off on the return trip to fly the employees back home. Shortly before departure a fourth passenger was added to the flight after his commercial flight was cancelled. A person who worked for the fixed base operator at the departure airport stated the pilot looked tired or just ready to go home. The pilot received his clearance for the IFR flight prior to takeoff. The pilot misread the clearance back to the controlled and was corrected. Radar data showed the pilot initially flew the assigned south-southwest heading prior to the airplane turning right to a westerly heading. The controller queried the pilot and issued a heading to intercept the VOR. The pilot corrected the heading and shortly thereafter the airplane once again began a right turn back toward the west. The airplane continued to climb throughout the heading changes. Radar data showed the airplane then began another left turn during which time it entered a spiraling rapid descent. According to weather data, the airplane was in instrument meteorological conditions when this occurred. The airplane impacted the terrain in an open cornfield. Weight and balance calculations indicate the airplane was at least 383 pounds over gross weight. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engines did not reveal any preexisting failure/malfunction.
Probable cause:
The pilot became spatially disoriented and as a result failed to maintain control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions aloft and the pilot being fatigued.
Final Report:

Crash of a Partenavia P.68B Victor off Rottnest Island

Date & Time: Nov 12, 2006 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-IYK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rottnest Island - Perth
MSN:
138
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Rottnest Island Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft suffered a bird strike and crashed in a salt lake located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb following a bird strike.

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Nakhon Sawan: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 2006 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
40208
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nakhon Sawan – Khon Kaen
MSN:
35-635
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nakhon Sawan-Takhli AFB, while climbing to a height of about 150 feet, the pilot contacted ATC and declared an emergency following a loss of engine power. He elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft went out of control and crashed onto a hangar located near the airport, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed, among them two photographers and one mechanic who were taking part to a reconnaissance mission in view to prepare an incoming air race in Thailand.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2B7 in Abuja: 96 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 2006 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-BFK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Abuja – Sokoto
MSN:
22891
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
ADK053
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
100
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
96
Captain / Total flying hours:
8545
Captain / Total hours on type:
353.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6497
Aircraft flight hours:
56411
Aircraft flight cycles:
44465
Circumstances:
The B737-200 aircraft which night-stopped at Calabar on Saturday the 28th of October, 2006, departed for Lagos in the morning of the 29th of October, 2006, and landed in Lagos at 0825 hrs. While on ground in Lagos, it uplifted some fuel. There was only cabin crew change. The aircraft departed Lagos on scheduled passenger service as ADK 063 at 0929 hrs and landed in Abuja at 1020 hrs. The aircraft uplifted 5000 litres of fuel and had 11000kg fuel for departure as ADK 053, a scheduled service to Sokoto. After boarding, it started raining and this compelled the crew to close the aircraft doors. Shortly after the rain had subsided, the doors were opened for the ground personnel to disembark. The crew then requested for start-up clearance. At 1115 hrs the aircraft was given a start up clearance for Sokoto. At 1121 hrs, the aircraft was given taxi clearance to holding position Runway 22. The pilot immediately requested for the wind, which was given as “210 variable at 8 kts”. Shortly after, the Control Tower transmitted the wind as south-westerly at 15 kts. While taxiing, the control tower advised Flight ADK 053 of gusty wind. The wind was initially given as 35 kts and then changed to 28 kts within 1 minute. At 1125 hrs while the aircraft was at the holding point, the crew was again advised of South-Westerly wind at 15 kts. At this juncture, the pilot of Virgin Nigeria 042 was heard on the radio saying “it looks like 35 kts to me” and then stated that he was going to wait for improvement in the weather, which he did. Thereafter, the ADK 053 crew requested for takeoff clearance and was cleared with right turn-out on course. Flight ADK 053 was airborne at 1129 hrs and was transferred to the Approach Control on 119.8MHZ but there was no acknowledgement from the crew. After three unsuccessful attempts to contact the aircraft, the Tower advised the Approach Control to call ADK 053. Other aircraft on the apron (Virgin Nigeria 042 and Trade Wings 2401), which were on that frequency were also asked to assist in contacting the aircraft but all attempts were unsuccessful. Kano and Lagos Area Controls were requested to contact ADK 053, but there was no response from the aircraft. Abuja Flight Communication Centre was then advised to inform National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Kano about the loss of contact with the aircraft. At 1138 hrs, Flight Communication Centre called the Control Tower that someone came from a nearby village (Tungar Madaki) near the radar site and reported that a plane had crashed in their village. A search party from the airport was dispatched and they found and confirmed that the plane had crashed shortly after takeoff. The accident resulted in 96 fatalities out of 105 persons on board (POB). The accident occured at latitude N 08 59.691’ longitude E 007 14.772’ on an elevation of 1123 ft (ASL). The time of the accident was 1130 hrs during daylight and in rain.
Probable cause:
Causal Factor:
The pilot’s decision to take-off in known adverse weather conditions and failure to execute the proper windshear recovery procedure resulted in operating the aircraft outside the safe flight regime, causing the aircraft to stall very close to the ground from which recovery was not possible.
Contributory Factors:
1) Inability of the flight crew to apply windshear recovery procedures and the use of inappropriate equipment for windshear recovery procedure during simulator recurrency. Lack of company Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for flight operations in adverse weather conditions.
2) The coordination of responsibilities between the pilot-flying (PF) and pilot not flying(PNF) during their encounter with adverse weather situation was inconsistent with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the duties of the pilot-flying (PF) and pilot not flying(PNF) resulting in the inadequate control of the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 425 Conquest I in Toliara: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 2006 at 0417 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5R-MGV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toliara - Antananarivo
MSN:
425-0032
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was performing an on-demand taxi flight from Toliara to the capital city Antananarivo with 4 pax and a two pilots on behalf of the company Magrama (Marbres & Granites de Madagascar). Less than two minutes after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and crashed about 1,500 metres from the runway end, bursting into flames. All 6 occupants were killed, among them 4 Italians and 2 Madagascar citizens.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after one of the engine caught fire for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90B King Air in Besançon: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 2006 at 0042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-GVPD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Besançon – Amiens
MSN:
LJ-1321
YOM:
1992
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4000
Aircraft flight hours:
3501
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in an ambulance flight from Besançon to Amiens with 2 surgeons, one pilot and one operator agent. Following a course of 950 metres on runway 23 at Besançon-La Vèze Airport by night, the aircraft lifted off. With a low climb gradient, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located 250 metres past the runway end, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed. Both surgeons were en route to Amiens in order to a lever harvesting.
Probable cause:
The lack of flight recorders made it impossible to trace the chain of events on board the aircraft. As a result, the causes of the accident could not be determined with precision. However, at least two scenarios could simultaneously explain the length of the takeoff roll and the low height after rotation: a lack of control of the airplane by the pilot, either by poor adjustment of the elevator trim or because his attention would have been focused inside the cockpit by any event, without reaction from the pilot passenger seated on the right. This scenario is consistent with his relative inexperience with the type of aircraft. The second scenario could be based on an inappropriate decision to seek significant speed after take-off or improvised instruction, neither pilot being aware of the obstacle constraints of the airfield. The significant obscurity, the operating specificities in medical transport and the presence of a second pilot with a status and role not provided for in the operations manual, without there being therefore any crew or distribution of tasks within the company's crew, are likely contributing factors. The 48-year-old pilot had a total of 3,500 flight hours, including 450 on type. The company agent who was seating on the right was a professional pilot who did not have a license on this type of aircraft and took advantage of the flight, in agreement with the corporate management, to acquire experience in a view to his future qualification on this type of airplane. He had a total of more than 4,000 flight hours.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Sep 15, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9Q-CXL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bukavu - Nzovu
MSN:
1G208-47
YOM:
1984
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, the single engine aircraft lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were rescued, among them two were injured.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in El Obeid

Date & Time: Aug 28, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-AQM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14 04
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A first attempt to take off from El Obeid Airport failed. During the second attempt, an engine caught fire and the aircraft crashed. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine fire on takeoff for unknown reasons.