Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-S1C3G off San Juan

Date & Time: Apr 4, 2001 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
N19BA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan - San Juan
MSN:
4986
YOM:
1942
Location:
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8795
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1300
Aircraft flight hours:
39832
Circumstances:
The flight crew stated that while making a missed approach after a practice instrument landing system approach, the right engine failed. The captain took control of the airplane from the copilot. The captain stated that while he performed the emergency procedures for engine failure, he noticed the left engine was not producing power. He then made a forced landing in water east of the airport. He stated that just before impact, he feathered the left propeller. The copilot stated he observed the captain activate the propeller feathering button for the left engine as he performed the emergency procedures for the right engine failure. The reason for failure of the right engine was not determined.
Probable cause:
The captain's activation of the left propeller feathering button after failure of the right engine for undetermined reasons resulting in loss of all engine power and the airplane making a forced landing in water.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Saint-Barthélémy: 20 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 2001 at 1628 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
F-OGES
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sint Maarten - Saint-Barthélemy
MSN:
254
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
TX1501
Location:
Saint-Barthélemy-Rémy de Haenen (Saint-Jean-Gustave III)
Saint-Barthélemy
Country:
Saint-Barthélemy
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Captain / Total flying hours:
9864
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
670
Copilot / Total hours on type:
15
Aircraft flight hours:
35680
Aircraft flight cycles:
89331
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Saint Maarten Airport on a flight to Saint-Barthélemy Airport under callsign TX1501, carrying 17 passengers and two pilots. The captain was pilot flying and the cruise level was 1,500 feet. The crew left the Sint Maarten Juliana aerodrome frequency when abeam of the island of Fourchue, the entry point of the aerodrome circuit located three nautical miles northwest of the island of Saint-Barthélemy. A few seconds later, they announced, on the Saint-Barthélemy Information frequency, that they were passing the 'Fourchue' reporting point. Shortly afterwards, they announced passing the 'Pain de Sucre' reporting point for a final approach to runway 10. That was their last communication. When the aircraft began its short final before the La Tourmente pass, several people, including the AFIS agent, saw it turn left which a steep bank angle then dive towards the ground. It crashed near a house and caught fire. All of the occupants perished, along with one person who was in the house.
Probable cause:
The accident appears to result from the Captain's use of the propellers in the reverse beta range, to improve control of his track on short final. A strong thrust asymmetry at the moment when coming out of the reverse beta range would have caused the loss of yaw control, then roll control of the aircraft. The investigation could not exclude three other hypotheses which can nevertheless be classified as quite unlikely:
- A loss of control during a go-around,
- A loss of control due to a stall,
- A loss of control due to sudden incapacitation of one of the pilots,
The Captain's lack of recent experience on this airplane type, the undeniable difficulty of conducting an approach to runway 10 at Saint-Barthélemy and the pressure of time during this flight were contributory factors. The low height at which the loss of control occurred was an aggravating factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Puerto Plata: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 2001 at 0815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Rafael Perez
Registration:
HI-535SP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Puerto Plata
MSN:
500-840
YOM:
1959
Location:
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata
Country:
Dominican Republic
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While descending to Puerto Plata Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to low clouds and fog. The twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Loma del Toro located few km from Puerto Plata and was destroyed. All seven occupants were killed. The crew started the approach prematurely and descended too low in poor visibility.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Palacios

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2001
Type of aircraft:
IAI Arava 201
Operator:
Registration:
316
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
31
YOM:
1976
Location:
Palacios
Gracias a Dios
Country:
Honduras
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew completed the approach with a 13 knots tailwind component and landed too far down the runway, about half runway down. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest few dozen metres further. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Nosara

Date & Time: Dec 20, 2000 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
TS Aviation
Registration:
N908AB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nosara - San José
MSN:
402B-0908
YOM:
1975
Location:
Nosara
Guanacaste (North Pacific)
Country:
Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On December 20, 2000, about 1045 mountain standard time, a Cessna 402B, N908AB, registered to Pitts Aviation, Inc., and operated by TS Aviation, as a Costa Rican air taxi flight from Nosara, Costa Rica, to San Jose, Costa Rica, crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Nosara. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot and one passenger received serious injuries. Five passengers received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Civil aviation authorities reported the flight had a loss of power in one engine during initial climb after takeoff, was unable to maintain altitude, and collided with trees. A post crash fire erupted.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Basler BT-67 in Chilanga

Date & Time: Nov 9, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Basler BT-67
Operator:
Registration:
FAS119
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6204
YOM:
1943
Location:
Chilanga
Morazán
Country:
Salvador
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Chilanga-Los Comandos Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the brakes. The aircraft veered off runway and collided with trees. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after touchdown due to technical problems with the brakes.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Reynosa: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 2000 at 1655 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
N936ML
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mexico City - Reynosa
MSN:
47501
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
AM250
Location:
Reynosa-General Lucio Blanco
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
85
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
10184
Captain / Total hours on type:
701.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1764
Copilot / Total hours on type:
40
Aircraft flight hours:
74277
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Mexico City, the crew started the descent to Reynosa-General Lucio Blanco Airport and encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls issued from the tropical storm 'Keith'. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft was too high on the glide and approaching at an excessive speed. It landed too far down the wet runway 31 and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage, struck several houses, went down an embankment and came to rest in a canal. All 90 occupants were rescued, among them one passenger was slightly injured. On the ground, four people were killed.
Probable cause:
Long landing and contact, after a high approach with excessive speed as a result of a non-precision approach, on a waterlogged runway and in adverse weather conditions (discharge of CB's in the area), with the aircraft departing from the opposite runway threshold (13).
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Jilotzingo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
5158
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-3218
YOM:
1974
Location:
Jilotzingo
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan on Mt Arenal: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2000 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Registration:
HP-1357APP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Juan – La Fortuna – Tamarindo
MSN:
208-0709
YOM:
1998
Flight number:
RZ1644
Location:
Mt Arenal
Alajuela (Center-North)
Country:
Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
2354
Copilot / Total flying hours:
350
Aircraft flight hours:
792
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed San Juan Airport at 1138LT on a flight to Tamarindo with an intermediate stop in La Fortuna on behalf of SANSA - Servicios Aéreos Nacionales. At La Fortuna Airport, a Japanese tourist was drop off and the aircraft took off at 1205LT. About five minutes after takeoff, while cruising in IMC conditions at an altitude of 5,380 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of the Arenal Volcano. The wreckage was found about 200 metres below the summit and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Karl Acevedo Neverman, pilot,
William Badilla Salazar, copilot.
Passengers:
Terry Pratt,
Silvia Rhissiner,
Catherine Shoep,
Steven Bohmer,
Helena Gutierrez-Bohmer,
Frank Consolazio,
Yudi Consolazio,
Cristopher Damia.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued under VFR mode in IMC conditions. The following findings were identified:
- The pilot's unsafe flying and failure to maintain adequate separation (vertical and horizontal) with mountainous terrain and not remain in VMC. Moreover, lack of timely corrective action by the crew allowed the aircraft to fly in a controlled manner and unnoticed into the ground.
- Loss of situational awareness and attention from the crew.
- Inadequate monitoring and enforcement by the pilot not flying.
- Lack of application or adherence to standard operating procedures established by SANSA.
- Using flight procedures not written or approved.
- Lack of culture regarding operational safety.

Crash of a Beechcraft 300 Super King Air in Ensenada: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2000 at 0245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 300 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
XC-AA72
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hermosillo – Ensenada
MSN:
FA-87
YOM:
1986
Location:
Ensenada
Baja California
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8260
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1529
Aircraft flight hours:
3125
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Hermosillo Airport at 0121LT on a flight to Ensenada, carrying one passenger and two pilots. On approach by night, the crew initiated a last turn to join the runway 11 approach path when the aircraft struck the slope of mountain and crashed about 14 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain while completing a turn on final approach, in night conditions, towards an airport of daytime operations only, as mentioned in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
Final Report:
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