Crash of a Convair CV-240-17 in Aguadilla

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N87949
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aguadilla - Aguadilla
MSN:
202
YOM:
1950
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Aguadilla-Rafael Hernández Airport. Following several touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew was approaching the airport when he inadvertently raised the landing gear prior to landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Belly landing after the crew mistakenly raised the landing gear.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Nassau

Date & Time: May 11, 1998 at 1349 LT
Registration:
N17BN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie – Nassau
MSN:
421B-0396
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On May 11, 1998, about 1349 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N17BN, registered to Quinn Industries, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR 91 personal flight, crashed into Lake Killarney, New Providence Island, Bahamas, while on approach for landing to Nassau International Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received unknown damage, the pilot suffered serious injuries, and two passengers suffered minor injuries. The flight originated about 26 minutes before the accident. According to initial reports, the flight originated earlier that day from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with a stop at Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, for refueling. Upon landing at Governor's Harbour, the pilot was advised no fuel was available and elected to proceed to Nassau for refueling. Some time during the straight-in approach the pilot transmitted he was "low on fuel", and N17BN crashed about 400 yards short of the runway into a swamp.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-53 in Zumpango: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1998 at 0420 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-TAP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mexico City - Monterrey - Laredo
MSN:
53-13
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11582
Copilot / Total flying hours:
264
Copilot / Total hours on type:
26
Aircraft flight hours:
26792
Circumstances:
Six minutes after his night takeoff from Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, en route to Monterrey and Laredo, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the right engine. The crew was cleared for an approach to runway 05R but the situation deteriorated rapidly. Shortly later, the captain requested the permission to make an approach to runway 23L and reported that the right engine caught fire. Less than a minute later, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located near Zumpango, about 45 km north of Mexico City Airport. Two occupants were seriously injured and two others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing by night and IMC conditions following the failure and the fire of the right engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in La Ceiba

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1998 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HR-AQG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Ceiba – Roatán
MSN:
82 09 23
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from La Ceiba-Goloson Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The crew was cleared for an emergency landing and initiated a circuit to return. At low height, one of the wing struck the roof of a house and the airplane crashed on a road. All 17 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-45-DL in George Town

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1998 at 1200 LT
Registration:
N200MF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
George Town – Cap Haïtien
MSN:
9990
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On February 3, 1998 at about 1200 eastern standard time, a Douglas DC3C, N200MF, registered to Missionary Flights International, as a 14 CFR Part 91 passenger flight experienced a total loss of engine power on both engines and made a forced landing 1 mile from the Greater Exuma Airport, Moss Town, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot-in-command (PIC), commercial pilot first officer, and 24 passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Moss Town about 1 hour 52 minutes before the accident.

Crash of a Learjet 24D in Tampico: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1998 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-RRK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Houston - Tampico
MSN:
24-307
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10911
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5761
Aircraft flight hours:
8095
Circumstances:
On approach to Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina Airport, the crew established on the ILS. The aircraft descended below the glide and MDA until it struck the ground and crashed in a lagoon located 12,8 km short of runway. A pilot and two passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The decision of the crew to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions (foggy conditions), allowing the aircraft to descend below the minimum descent altitude until impact with the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander in Rio Sidra: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1997 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HP-986PS
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Panama City – Rio Sidra
MSN:
178
YOM:
1970
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Panama City-Marcos A. Gelabert Airport at 0643LT on a flight to Rio Sidra, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. On approach to Rio Sidra, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. On final, the aircraft struck the ground 6,5 km short of runway and crashed 62 minutes after its departure. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed, among them four US citizens.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL off Guerrero Negro

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1997 at 1440 LT
Registration:
XA-CUC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guerrero Negro - Isla de Cedros
MSN:
7377
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Guerrero Negro Airport, while climbing, the aircraft nosed down and crashed in the San Jose estuary, few hundred metres offshore. All five occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a GAF Nomad N.24 in La Ceiba

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HR-AQY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Ceiba – Roatán
MSN:
38
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from La Ceiba-Goloson Airport, while climbing, the aircraft collided with a bird that struck the right engine. The crew decided to return to La Ceiba for an emergency landing when the right engine caught fire and detached. On final, the aircraft went out of control and crashed on a soccer field. All 12 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine that detached in flight following a bird strike. It is believed that the bird was probably a buzzard or a vulture.

Crash of a GAF Nomad N.24 in La Ceiba

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N244E
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
119
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at La Ceiba-Goloson Airport, the twin engine aircraft struck a rut in the ground. The crew heard a loud bang when the rotation was completed shortly later. During initial climb, the crew informed ATC about the situation and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft slid on its nose for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All 11 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.