Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pointe-Noire: 23 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 2011 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
TN-AGK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Brazzaville - Pointe-Noire
MSN:
40 20 06
YOM:
1963
Location:
Pointe-Noire
Pointe-Noire City District
Country:
Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Brazzaville-Maya Maya Airport on a cargo service to Pointe-Noire, carrying five passengers, four crew members and a load of 750 kilos of meat. On final approach to Pointe-Noire Airport runway 17, the aircraft rolled to the right, got inverted and crashed in the residential area of Mvoumvou located 4 kilometers short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed as well as several houses. All nine occupants and 14 people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control on final approach was the consequence of the failure of both right engines n°3 and 4.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP near Bukavu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 2011 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
African Air Services
Registration:
9Q-CIF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bukavu – Lusenge
MSN:
83 09 22
YOM:
1983
Location:
Bukavu
Sud-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Eight minutes after takeoff from Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances on the slope of Mt Biega, some 25 km north of Bukavu. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were completing a cargo flight to Lusenge.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-12/47 off Plettenberg Bay: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 2011 at 1633 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-12
Operator:
Majuba Aviation
Registration:
ZS-GAA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Queenstown - Plettenberg Bay
MSN:
858
YOM:
2007
Location:
Plettenberg Bay
Western Cape
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
2662
Captain / Total hours on type:
582.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
351
Copilot / Total hours on type:
112
Aircraft flight hours:
1096
Circumstances:
The aircraft, which was operated under the provisions of Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs), departed from Queenstown Aerodrome (FAQT) at 1329Z on an instrument flight plan for Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (FAPG). On board the aircraft were two (2) crew members and seven (7) passengers. The estimated time of arrival for the aircraft to land at FAPG was 1430Z, however the aircraft never arrived at its intended destination, nor did the crew cancel their search and rescue as per flight plan/air navigation requirements. At ±1600Z an official search for the missing aircraft commenced. The search was coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC). The first phase of the search, which was land based, was conducted in the Robberg Nature Reserve area. Progress was slow due to poor visibility associated with dense mist and night time. A sea search was not possible following activation of the official search during the late afternoon and night time, but vessels from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) were able to launch at first light the next morning. Floating debris (light weight material) was picked up from the sea and along the western shoreline of the Robberg Nature Reserve where foot patrols were conducted. On 11 February 2011 the South African Navy joined the search for the missing wreckage by utilizing side scan sonar equipment to scan the sea bed for the wreckage. All the occupants on board the aircraft were fatally injured in the accident.
Probable cause:
The aircraft crashed into the sea following a possible in flight upset associated with a loss of control during IMC conditions.
The following contributory factors were identified:
- Deviation from standard operating procedures by the crew not flying the published cloud-break procedure for runway 30 at FAPG, but instead opted to attempt to remain visual with the ground/sea (comply with VMC requirements) by descending over the sea and approaching the aerodrome from the southeast (Robberg Nature Reserve side).
- Inclement weather conditions prevailed in the area, which was below the minima to comply with the approved cloud-break procedure for runway 30 at FAPG (minimum safety altitude of 844 feet according to cloud-break procedure) as published at the time of the accident.
- Judgement and decision making lacking by the crew. (The crew continued from the seaward side with the approach during IMC conditions and not diverting to an alternative aerodrome with proper approach facilities timeously although a cell phone call in this regard indicate such an intention).
- The possibility that the pilot-flying at the time became spatially disorientated during the right turn while encountering / entering IMC conditions in an attempt to divert to FAGG should be regarded as a significant contributory factor to this accident.
- This was the first time as far as it could be determined that the two crew members flew together.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 500CRF in Nairobi

Date & Time: Jan 27, 2011 at 1335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
5X-FFD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nairobi - Nairobi
MSN:
10530
YOM:
1976
Location:
Nairobi-Wilson
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight from Nairobi-Wilson Airport. The crew consisted of two pilots and two engineers. During the takeoff roll from runway 07, the captain decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, went through a fence, lost its nose gear and came to rest in a field. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Ground accident of a Boeing 737-2T5 at Hoedspruit AFB

Date & Time: Jan 10, 2011 at 2050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-200
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-SGX
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hoedspruit - Johannesburg
MSN:
22396/730
YOM:
1981
Location:
Hoedspruit AFB
Mpumalanga
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
26512
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1300
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1100
Aircraft flight hours:
70094
Circumstances:
The aircraft was flown on a non-scheduled charter flight from O. R. Tambo International Airport to Hoedspruit military aerodrome, where it landed safely and all 97 passengers disembarked. The crew then prepared to return to O. R. Tambo International Airport with no passengers on board. Whilst taxiing to the cleared holding point for takeoff, the pilot switched off the landing lights to avoid blinding an approaching aircraft. As a result, he overshot the turning point in the darkness and found himself at the end of the taxiway with insufficient space to turn around. According to him, he decided to manoeuvre the aircraft out of the "dead end" by turning into the last taxiway, which led to military hangars, and then reversing the aircraft to carry out a 180° turn. This was to be done without external guidance. Whilst reversing the aircraft, the pilot failed to stop it in time, the main wheels rolled off the edge of the taxiway and the aircraft slipped down a steep embankment, coming to rest with the nose-wheel still on the taxiway. The aeroplane was substantially damaged, but no-one was injured.
Probable cause:
Inappropriate decision by the captain to reverse the aircraft at night without external guidance.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Defender near Ouarzazate: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 2010
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Royal Moroccan Police
Registration:
CN-TWO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tangier - Ouarzazate
MSN:
2232
YOM:
1990
Location:
Ouarzazate
Souss-Massa-Drâa
Country:
Morocco
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Tangier on a flight to Ouarzazate, carrying three Police Officers and two pilots on behalf of the Royal Moroccan Police (Gendarmerie Royale Marocaine). While cruising by night between Demnate and Ouarzazate, the aircraft struck a mountain slope and crashed. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all five occupants were killed. For unknown reasons, the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C-1 in Maputo

Date & Time: Dec 3, 2010 at 2340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 1900C
Operator:
Registration:
C9-AUO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nampula - Maputo
MSN:
UC-148
YOM:
1991
Location:
Maputo
Maputo City District
Country:
Mozambique
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The flight from Nampula was uneventful until the approach to Maputo. Due to bad weather conditions at destination, the crew was vectored to a holding pattern. After two circuits, the captain decided to start the descent despite ATC informed him about very poor conditions. At this time, the visibility was reduced due to the night, heavy rain falls, thunderstorm activity with turbulences and lightnings. On final approach to runway 23, the aircraft was too low and impacted ground short of runway in a slight nose-up attitude. Upon impact, the aircraft broke in two and came to rest in a field. All 17 occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Zalingei: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 2010 at 1618 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-24
Operator:
Registration:
ST-ARQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Khartoum - Nyala - Zalingei
MSN:
0 73 059 10
YOM:
1970
Location:
Zalingei
Central Darfur
Country:
Sudan
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4400
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
900
Copilot / Total hours on type:
700
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Zaligei Airport runway 03 in good weather conditions. The aircraft landed hard 200 metres past the runway threshold, causing both propeller blades to struck the ground on a distance of 33 metres. The aircraft bounced and landed a second time 263 metres further then a third time after 15 metres. Upon impact, both engines were torn off and the aircraft rolled for about 400 metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. Two passengers were killed while five others were injured. All 37 other occupants escaped unhurt. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Sudan's Central Directorate of Air Accident Investigation concluded the probable causes as follow:
The accident cause is a complex set of reasons. The aircraft impacted the ground on three wheels at high forward speed shearing off both engines and propellers and damaging the left main landing gear which put the aircraft in an uncontrollable condition.
Contributory factors were:
- Absence of crew coordination,
- Absence of cabin procedure and check-lists for different phases of flight,
- Unsatisfactory Periodic and Annual job check being reflected on the inoperative Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders,
- Bad planning of the flight and long period taken to clear the recorded defects before departure is considered to be a contributory factor to this accident.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP near Bukavu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 2010
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CUA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bukavu – Shabunda
MSN:
X0101
YOM:
1977
Location:
Bukavu
Sud-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bukavu to Shabunda, carrying two pilots and a load of 1,500 kilos of various goods. Few minutes after takeoff from Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near the village of Bugulumisa located at the border of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an engine failure.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Mukinge

Date & Time: Oct 16, 2010
Type of aircraft:
Harbin Yunsunji Y-12
Operator:
Registration:
AF-215
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lusaka – Mukinge
MSN:
0088
YOM:
1994
Location:
Mukinge
North-Western
Country:
Zambia
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lusaka on a flight to Mukinge, carrying staff and various goods on behalf of the Zambian Presidency. After touchdown, the aircraft veered off runway and came to rest against trees. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew was flying to Mukinge, preparing the next official visit of the President of the Republic of Zambia Rupiah Banda.
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