Crash of a Cessna 402B off Barcelona

Date & Time: Dec 28, 2015 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV3101
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Porlamar – Charallave
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Porlamar to Charallave, while cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft 33 km north of Barcelona. All three occupants evacuated safely and found refuge in a lifeboat. They were rescued an hour later by Venezuelan coastguard. The aircraft sank and was lost.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Acandí: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 2015 at 1054 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4981G
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Acandí – Medellín
MSN:
402B-1042
YOM:
1976
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Acandí-Alcides Fernandez Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a house located in the district of Miramar, near the airport. The pilot and a passenger were killed and eight other occupants were injured. There were no victims on the ground and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to the combination of the following factors:
- The total weight of the aircraft was above the MTOW,
- The CofG was outside the enveloppe,
- Poor flight planning.

Crash of a Cessna 650 Citation VII in Guarda-Mor: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 2015 at 1904 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-WQH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Brasília – São Paulo
MSN:
650-7083
YOM:
1998
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
13143
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2527
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1633
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off from the Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek (SBBR) Aerodrome, Brasília - DF, to the Congonhas Aerodrome (SBSP), São Paulo - SP, at 2039 (UTC), to carry out a personnel transportation flight with two crewmembers and two passengers on board. During the cockpit preparation procedure, the crew members commented about the operation of the Pitch Trim System. The first flight of the day, that occurred in the morning, was from São Paulo to Brasilia and with no abnormalities. About thirty minutes after take-off from Brasília, still during the climb, near the FL370, the cabin voice recorder recorded a characteristic sound of the aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer moving. Then, the aircraft made a downward trajectory with high speed and a big rate of descent until the impact against the ground. The aircraft was destroyed. All occupants perished at the site, among them Lúcio Flávio de Oliveira and Marco Antonio Rossi, two Directors of Banco Brasdesco.
Probable cause:
Contributing factors:
- Control skills – undetermined
It is possible that, after inadvertent movement of the horizontal stabilizer, the crewmembers did not operate on the control switches of the secondary pitch trim system, since no other warning sound (Clacker) was recorded on the CVR recordings. The action prevised in the emergency procedures Pitch Trim Runaway or Failure, item 3, regarding trimming of the aircraft through the secondary system, possibly, was not performed. The performance of the crew may have been restricted only to the elevator control on the aircraft controls or to the control of the stabilizer associated with the primary trimming mode.
- Attitude – undetermined
The decision to make the flight without the proper functioning of the primary pitch trim and autopilot system may have been the result of the pilot's self-confidence because of the successful previous flight under similar operating conditions. Considering the hypothesis that the updated Shutdown Checklist, which should incorporate the Stabilizer Trim Backdrive Monitor - TEST, was not performed after the precrash flight, one could consider that there was a lack of adhesion to the aircraft operating procedures. Such an attitude could be associated with the pilot's self-confidence about the aircraft's operating routine, whose acquired experience could have given him the habit of ignoring some of the procedures deemed less important during the flight completion phase.
- Crew Resource Management – a contributor
Throughout the flight, there was an absence of verbalization and communication of the actions on the checklist. Similarly, in the face of the emergency situation of the horizontal stabilizer (Pitch Trim Runaway or Failure), no statements were identified regarding the actions required to manage this situation among the crew. These characteristics denote inefficiency in the use of human resources available for the aircraft operation.
- Training – undetermined
It is possible that the absence of a periodic training in simulator, especially the emergency Pitch Trim Runway or Failure, has affected the performance of the crew, as far as the CVR did not record statements related to the actions required by the abnormal condition experienced.
- Organizational culture – undetermined
The operator did not usually properly fill out the PT-WQH flight logbook. This condition evidenced the existence of informal rules regarding the monitoring of the operational conditions of the aircraft. In this context, it is possible that the history of failures related to the pitch trim system has not been registered.
- Piloting judgment – undetermined
Moments prior to takeoff, it was recorded in the CVR speeches related to the flight without the autopilot, possibly related to a failure or inoperativeness of the primary pitch trim system. The takeoff with a possible failure in the pitch trim system of the aircraft, showed an inadequate assessment of the risks involved in the operation under those conditions.
- Aircraft maintenance – undetermined
It was not possible to establish a link between the maintenance services performed on the aircraft in September 2015 and the events that resulted in the accident occurred on 10NOV2015. However, it was not ruled out that an incomplete crash survey was carried out in the pitch trim system of the aircraft, due to the lack of detail of the service orders.
- Decision-making process – a contributor
The sounds related to the test positions of the Rotary Test Switch have not been recorded in the CVR recording, so it is possible to conclude that the Warning Systems - Check item of the Cockpit Preparation Checklist has not been performed. The decision to perform the flight without the complete execution of all items of the Cockpit Preparation Checklist, prevented the correct verification of the primary longitudinal Trim system of the aircraft and reflected an inadequate judgment about the risks involved in that operation.
- Interpersonal relationship – undetermined
According to the CVR data, there was a possible rush of the crew to take-off, even though it was verified that the aircraft's pitch trim system did not work properly. It was not possible to determine if this rush was motivated by passengers’ pressure or self-imposed by the pilot.
- Support systems – undetermined
It is possible that the Pilots' Abbreviated Checklist - NORMAL PROCEDURES, aboard the aircraft, was outdated, without the incorporation of the Stabilizer Trim Backdrive Monitor - TEST procedure in the Shutdown Checklist. The possible completion of Shutdown Checklist with outdated procedures would have hampered the manufacturer's suggested verification for identification of abnormalities in the aircraft's pitch trim system.
- Managerial oversight – undetermined
The records and control of the operational check flights, both by the maintenance shop and by the operator, prevised in documentation issued by the manufacturer (SB650- 27-53 and ASL650-55-04) were not performed in an adequate manner, indicating possible weaknesses in the supervision of the maintenance activities.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo Porter in Buenos Aires: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 2015 at 1615 LT
Operator:
Registration:
GN-804
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires
MSN:
786
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was completing a local mission in Buenos Aires. In flight, the left wing detached, causing the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled descent and to crash, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were killed. The left wing was found about 180 metres from the wreckage.

Crash of a Boeing 737-3K2 in Cuzco

Date & Time: Oct 23, 2015 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OB-2040-P
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lima - Cuzco
MSN:
24329/1858
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
P9216
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
133
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6352
Captain / Total hours on type:
1971.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1455
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1219
Aircraft flight hours:
74018
Aircraft flight cycles:
42389
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Lima, the crew started the descent to Cuzco-Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport Runway 28. On approach, the aircraft was configured for landing and flaps were deployed to 15°. Following a smooth landing, the crew started the braking procedure when, eight seconds after touchdown, he noticed vibrations coming from the left main gear. At a speed of 100 knots, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft rolled for few hundred metres then came to a halt on the runway. All 139 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Unstable approach and inadequate landing technique for high altitude fields, which resulted in increased landing speed, the start of the flare manoeuvre at higher altitude, and low descent speed, which made the OB-2040-P aircraft make soft contact with the runway, causing inefficiency in operation of the shimmy damper, which did not prevent uncontrolled oscillation of the shock absorbers.
Contributing factors:
- Lack of instruction and training in simulators that include techniques and maneuvers of landing at high altitude fields, with emphasis on speed control at landing.
- Lack of a performance analysis process, through the use of flight recorders or other installed data recording equipment and flight parameters, by the operating company, to enable supervision, control and corrective measures in the operational use of its aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 35A in San Fernando

Date & Time: Oct 19, 2015 at 0640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
LV-ZSZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Fernando - Rio Gallegos
MSN:
35A-235
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9851
Captain / Total hours on type:
6200.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1100
Copilot / Total hours on type:
39
Aircraft flight hours:
12190
Aircraft flight cycles:
9517
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Buenos Aires-San Fernando Airport on a positioning flight to Río Gallegos, carrying two pilots. During the takeoff roll, the copilot (pilot-in-command) noticed that the left engine N1 reached a value of 101% instead of 95% like the right engine. At that point the aircraft had already traveled 380 metres. As the aircraft started to veer to the right, the copilot decided to abandon the takeoff procedure without informing the captain. The power levers were brought back to idle and the copilot started to brake. After a course of about 980 metres, the right engine N1 value dropped to 30-40% while the left engine remained at 101%. Then the captain took over control, deployed briefly the thrust reverser system when the aircraft departed the runway to the right. While rolling in a grassy area, it struck a drainage ditch located 80 metres from the runway, lost its undercarriage then slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. Both pilots evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The most likely cause of the uncommanded acceleration and subsequent overspeed condition was a contamination of retained particles present within the fuel control unit (FCU). The contamination was a short-lived random condition, as evidenced by the fact that after about 30 seconds the power lever regained control of the left engine. On a general aviation flight, during the take-off run, the LJ35 LV-ZSZ suffered a runway excursion on the right side, and a subsequent aircraft fire.
The accident was due to the combination of the following factors:
- The uncommanded acceleration of the left engine at the start of the take-off run,
- The initial lack of response of the left engine to the requests of the corresponding power lever,
- The difficulties of the crew in managing an unusual condition of the aircraft in accordance with guidelines established in the AFM,
- The ambivalence in the existing regulations for the authorization of a co-pilot in an aircraft that require two pilots for certification,
- The duality in the application of safety standards allowed by the existing normative regulations.
Although unrelated, the state of the runway 05/23 protection zone at the San Fernando Aerodrome contributed to the severity of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Bogotá: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 2015 at 1619 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3917G
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bogotá - Bogotá
MSN:
P-410
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
4916
Aircraft flight hours:
1788
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Bogotá-El Dorado on a short flight to Bogotá-Guaymaral Airport, carrying three passengers and one pilot. Three minutes after takeoff from runway 13L, while climbing to a height of 200 feet in VFR conditions, the airplane entered a left turn then descended into the ground and crashed into several houses located in the district of Engativá, near the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft as well as several houses and vehicles were destroyed. All four occupants as well as five people on the ground were killed. Thirteen others were injured, seven seriously.
Probable cause:
The pilot lost control of the airplane following a loss of power on the left engine during initial climb. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of this loss of power. The aircraft's speed dropped to 107 knots and the pilot likely did not have time to identify the problem. Operation from a high density altitude airport contributed to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Yumbo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 2015 at 1146 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PR-MIC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Cali - Cali
MSN:
208B-0841
YOM:
2000
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
9388
Captain / Total hours on type:
4155.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6343
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1029
Aircraft flight hours:
10519
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Cali-Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport on an geophysical exploration mission of the south part of Chocó, carrying three crew members, two pilots and one operator in charge of the LIDAR equipment. At 1144LT, the crew reported his altitude at 5,600 feet. Two minutes later, while cruising in poor visibility, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in wooded and hilly terrain near Yambo. The wreckage was found few hours later and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- Controlled flight into terrain,
- Execution of a VFR flight in reduced visibility weather conditions,
- Poor decision making by the crew in continuing VFR operation as they were in an environment of significantly reduced visibility,
- Inadequate operational risk assessment due to the lack of familiarity of the foreign crew with the topography and meteorological evolution of the sector.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL near Capatárida: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 2015 at 2040 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N577ZB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
680-1663-129
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was probably engaged in an illegal flight when it crashed under unknown circumstances in a desert area located in Los Hatos, about 5 km northeast of Capatárida, Venezuela. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. No flight plan was filed to enter the Venezuelan airspace.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R in Bogotá: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 2015 at 1212 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-3909G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Medellín
MSN:
31-7612070
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10377
Captain / Total hours on type:
121.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5209
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bogotá-Guaymaral Airport, while climbing, the pilot declared an emergency after the failure of the right engine. He attempted an emergency landing in an open field when the aircraft crashed in a prairie located near the Los Andes hippodrome, some 5 km northeast of Guaymaral Airport, bursting into flames. A passenger was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb due to the failure of internal components. The high density altitude was considered as a contributing factor as its affected the aircraft performances.
Final Report: