Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Doro

Date & Time: Apr 28, 2008 at 1240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-SPK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Doro - Nairobi
MSN:
208B-0243
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single aircraft was on a return flight from Doro to Nairobi, carrying four mission personnel who took part to a humanitarian mission in the region of Doro. The takeoff was performed from a muddy airstrip and the aircraft was unable to gain sufficient height after liftoff. As a result, the left wing impacted a tree trunk and the airplane crashed in a ditch, coming to rest upside down. All five occupants escaped uninjured.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32 off Annobón Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 2008 at 1423 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
3C-5GE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bata - Annobón Island
MSN:
16 09
YOM:
1988
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Bata on a special flight to Annobón Island carrying six politicians completing an election tour and a crew of five. While approaching Annobón Island, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with strong winds and heavy rain falls. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in the sea. Four dead bodies were found.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-51 in Goma: 40 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 2008 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CHN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Goma – Kisangani
MSN:
47731/860
YOM:
1977
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
86
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
40
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from runway 18 at Goma Airport, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. The aircraft continued, overran and crashed in the Birere District, about 100 metres past the runway end, bursting into flames. Three passengers were killed as well as 37 people on the ground. All other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It is possible that one of the engine or maybe both suffered a loss of power during takeoff after the aircraft passed through a puddle.

Crash of a Cessna F406 Caravan II in Mwanza: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 2008 at 1624 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5H-AWK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mwanza - Mwanza
MSN:
406-0030
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2900
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
The crew consisting of one instructor and one pilot under supervision departed Mwanza for a local training flight with approaches and touch-and-go manoeuvres. Shortly after takeoff from runway 12, while climbing to an altitude of 800 feet, the twin engine aircraft rolled to the right then entered a right turn and an uncontrolled descent before crashing on the top of a small hill located 890 metres from the runway 30 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed, a British instructor and an Australian citizen pilot under training.
Probable cause:
The crew was supposed to conduct several touch-and-go maneuvers and the instructor wanted to simulate an engine failure. Shortly after takeoff from runway 12, the aircraft rolled to the right while the right engine was turning at low RPM, presumably as a result of the instructor's decision to reduce the engine power. Due to a poor reaction by the pilot under supervision and an insufficient altitude to regain control, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed. The crew was supposed to initiate a left turn during initial climb, according to ATC instructions, but due to the power reduction on the right engine, the aircraft banked right then turned right and entered an uncontrolled descent. A wind from 090 gusting at 18 knots remained a contributing factor as it contributed to the aircraft rolling to the right.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900D in Bushi: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 2008 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-JAH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lagos - Bebi
MSN:
UE-322
YOM:
1998
Flight number:
TWD8300
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9730
Captain / Total hours on type:
852.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
444
Copilot / Total hours on type:
204
Aircraft flight hours:
5578
Circumstances:
The aircraft, Beech 1900D with flight number TWD8300 on a positioning flight, filed an Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) with Air Traffic Services (ATS) at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Lagos for departure to Bebi airstrip, Obudu on a filed flight plan LAG – UA609 – POTGO – DCT – ENU – DCT - OBUDU. But the actual route flown was LAG – UA609 – POTGO – LIPAR – LUNDO – IKROP – BUDU. The aircraft departed MMA at 0736 hrs as per the flight plan, climbed to FL250, estimated MOPAD at 0755 hrs, BEN at 0814hrs, POTGO at 0837hrs, LIPAR at 0844hrs, LUNDO at 0902 hrs and OBUDU destination at 0917hrs. The aircraft was transferred to Port Harcourt at 0845 hrs thereafter the crew requested descent. It was cleared to FL110 but on passing through FL160 requested further descent and was then released to Enugu at 0856 hrs by Port Harcourt. Enugu cleared it to FL050. The aircraft deviated from the flight plan route, and flew on airway UA609 direct to IKROP from POTGO. The inputs into Global Positioning System (GPS) gave the crew different distances to Bebi. The crew agreed on a coordinate to input and thereafter were busy trying to locate the airstrip physically. During this process the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), warning signals and sound of “Terrain, terrain…..pull up” was heard several times without any of the pilot following the command. The aircraft flew into terrain, crashed and was destroyed. At 0923hrs, the Radio Operator at Bebi called the aircraft to confirm its position, but received no reply. The FDR showed that the aircraft crashed at about 0920:15 hrs at an altitude of about 3,400ft at Bushi Village during the hours of daylight with three fatalities. The aircraft flew for 103.75 minutes before impact.At 0924 hrs, Bebi Radio Operator called Calabar, to confirm if in contact with 5N-JAH, Calabar replied negative contact. The burnt wreckage was found by hunters in a dense wooded area on 30 August 2008.
Probable cause:
The flight crew conducted an approach into a VFR airfield in an instrument meteorological condition and did not maintain terrain clearance and minimum safe altitude which led to Controlled Flight Into Terrain. The crew did not respond promptly to GPWS warning.
Contributory Factors:
- The flight crew was not familiar with the route in a situation of low clouds, poor visibility and mountainous terrain.
- The Area Controllers did not detect the estimate as passed by the pilot for positions not in the filed flight plan (LIPAR and LUNDO) and omitting ENUGU.
- The flight crew changed from IFR flight to VFR flight without proper procedure and ATC clearance.
- The crew did not use Jeppesen charts as approved in WINGS AVIATION Operational Specifications by NCAA.
- The Lagos Area Control Center (ACC) did not detect or question the disparity in waypoints and routing as read back by the crew, compared with the filed flight plan.
Final Report:

Serious incident with a Boeing 747-2D7B in Lomé

Date & Time: Feb 2, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N527MC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lomé - Amsterdam
MSN:
22471/504
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
GTI014
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Lomé international Airport, while on a cargo flight to Amsterdam, the crew declared an emergency and was cleared for an immediate return. The approach and landing were considered as normal and the aircraft returned safely to the apron. While all three crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair due to bulkhead destruction.
Probable cause:
It appears that the cargo shifted shortly after rotation and destroyed the bulkhead and several others structural parts inside the airplane.

Ground accident of a Boeing 727-247 in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9L-LEF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
21482/1341
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While parked at Pointe-Noire Airport, the aircraft was struck by an Antonov AN-12 registered EK-11660 and operated by Aéro-Service that just completed a cargo flight from Brazzaville with 6 crew members on board. Following a normal landing, the crew of the AN-12 vacated the runway and while approaching the apron, they lost control of the aircraft that collided with the parked Boeing 727. All six crew members on board the AN-12 were injured, both pilots seriously. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair. The Boeing 727 was empty at the time of the ground collision.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a brakes failure.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-11660
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brazzaville – Pointe-Noire
MSN:
5 3 432 09
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Brazzaville on a cargo flight to Pointe-Noire, carrying six crew members and a load of various goods. Following a normal landing, the crew vacated the runway and while approaching the apron, they lost control of the aircraft that collided with a parked Boeing 727-246 registered 9L-LEF and operated by Canadian Airways Congo. All six crew members on board the AN-12 were injured, both pilots seriously. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair. The Boeing 727 was empty at the time of the ground collision.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a brakes failure.

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air near Huambo: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 2008 at 0832 LT
Registration:
D2-FFK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Luanda – Huambo
MSN:
BB-1026
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Luanda-4 de Fevereiro Airport shortly prior to 0700LT on an exec flight to Huambo, carrying 11 passengers and two pilots, among them two Portuguese citizens and the CEO of the operator. While descending to Huambo Airport in poor weather conditions (limited visibility due to rain and fog), the aircraft collided with Mt Mbave (2,021 metres high) located about 40 km north of Huambo Airport. All 13 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low during an approach in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90B King Air in Port Said: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 2008 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
SU-ZAA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cairo - Port Said
MSN:
LJ-1353
YOM:
1994
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Cairo-Intl Airport in the morning on a training flight to Port Said. Following four successful touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew completed a 5th circuit. On approach, the aircraft apparently caught fire (engine explosion?), lost height and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed.