Crash of an Embraer EMB-121A1 Xingu II off Angra dos Reis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 2012 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer EMB-121 Xingu
Operator:
Banjet Taxi Aéreo
Registration:
PT-MAB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte - Angra dos Reis
MSN:
121-007
YOM:
1979
Location:
Angra dos Reis
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2735
Captain / Total hours on type:
2065.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1820
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1283
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport on a charter flight to Angra dos Reis, carrying one passenger and two pilots. On approach to Angra dos Reis, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with a cold front approaching the area. On short final, while completing a right turn at low height, the right wing struck the water surface and the aircraft crashed in the sea, some 500 metres offshore. The wreckage was found 3 km from the airport. All three occupants were killed and aircraft was destroyed. Visibility was low at the time of the accident with heavy rain falls, low clouds and turbulences. The passenger was the local representative of the Mercedes Benz Group.
Probable cause:
The collision with water and the subsequent accident was the consequence of the decision of the crew to continue the approach at low altitude to maintain a visual contact with the ground. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited and weather conditions were marginal.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-820C Navajo near Espinosa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 2012 at 1050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Embraer EMB-820 Navajo/Carajá
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ENG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Gunanmbi - Guanambi
MSN:
820-066
YOM:
1982
Location:
Espinosa
Minas Gerais
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3876
Captain / Total hours on type:
238.00
Circumstances:
The twin aircraft departed Guanambi Airport to perform a low level survey flight in the region of Espinosa, carrying two observers and one pilot. About two hours into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 330 feet, the right engine lost power then failed. While executing the emergency checklist, the left engine failed as well. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both passengers evacuated with minor injuries and the pilot was killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
There was sufficient fuel in the tanks at the time of the accident as the aircraft was refueled prior to departure for a 5-hour flight. The exact cause of the double engine failure remains unknown. When the right engine failed, the pilot was flying at an altitude of 330 feet which was below the minimum safe altitude fixed at 500 feet. Also, he was apparently using his cell phone.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A at El Palomar AFB

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2012 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Sabreliner 75
Operator:
Registration:
AE-175
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
380-13
YOM:
1974
Location:
El Palomar AFB
Buenos Aires province
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to El Palomar AFB, near Buenos Aires, carrying three crew members and six passengers, among them General Luis Pozzi, Chief of the Argentinian Army. Upon landing, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on runway then veered to the right before coming to rest in a grassy area. All 9 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. General Pozzi was returning to El Palomar Air Base following a review of the troops in the Pampa Province.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in La Leona: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 2012 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Registration:
EJC-1131
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Tolemaida - Saravena
MSN:
208B-1199
YOM:
2007
Location:
La Leona
Cundinamarca
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from the Tolemaida Air Base to the airport of Saravena-Los Colonizadores. Few minutes after takeoff, while flying some 35 km from its departure point, the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located in La Leona. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III off Montevideo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 2012 at 1955 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA227 Metro III
Operator:
Registration:
CX-LAS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Montevideo - Buenos Aires
MSN:
AC-482
YOM:
1982
Location:
Montevideo
Montevideo City District
Country:
Uruguay
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
16177
Copilot / Total flying hours:
406
Aircraft flight hours:
26158
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Montevideo to Buenos Aires on behalf of DHL. The aircraft departed runway 24 at Montevideo-Carrasco Airport at 1945LT and the crew was cleared to climb to FL080. While reaching a height of 4,500 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea at a speed of 570 knots which caused its disintegration off Flores Island. Few debris were found the following day floating on water but the main wreckage was localized two weeks later about one NM south of Flores Island. The CVR was found on 02AUG2012 but was unreadable as the content was concerning the last 30 minutes of the precedent flight. On 11FEB2013, fishermen found the cargo door in their fishnet. No trace of the cargo nor the crew was ever found.
Probable cause:
Investigations determined that both engines were running normally at impact, that no propeller blades were lost during descent, that fuel was not contaminated and that no problems occurred on the on electrical system. Meteorological Office confirmed that severe icing conditions prevailed at the time of the accident between FL010 and FL150. The loss of control was the consequence of erroneous indications of the flight instruments, associated with the possible formation of crystalline ice on the aircraft' structure, causing a loss of situational awareness of the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S off El Loa: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 2012 at 0150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CGX
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Iquique - Iquique
MSN:
500-3306
YOM:
1978
Location:
El Loa
Región de Tarapacá
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
20183
Captain / Total hours on type:
10000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3755
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2137
Aircraft flight hours:
16308
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Iquique-General Diego Aracena Airport at 2115LT on May 17 on a fishing survey and prospection mission over the Pacific Ocean, carrying two pilots. There was sufficient fuel on board for a 7,5-hour flight. While cruising by night, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea about 30 km northwest of El Loa. Few debris were found floating on water the following morning. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A loss of control in flight for unknown reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Santa Cruz: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 2012 at 0813 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1319
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Cobija
MSN:
22428
YOM:
1945
Location:
Santa Cruz-Viru Viru
Santa Cruz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
12500
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3219
Aircraft flight hours:
29080
Circumstances:
The crew departed Santa Cruz-Viru Viru Airport at 0807LT on a cargo flight to Cobija-E. Beltram Airport. Shortly after takeoff from runway 16, the crew informed ATC he was returning but did not give any details about his situation. On final approach, the aircraft adopted a high-nose attitude, climbed then stalled and crashed 200 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. The passenger was seriously injured and all three crew members were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was that the aircraft, while on short finals and cleared to land, made an unusual flight maneuver by climbing almost vertically until a wing stall and plunging violently against the terrain, bursting into flames within the security area of the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90B King Air in Jundiaí: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 2012 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Tufy Lemos Filho
Registration:
PP-WCA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jundiaí - Jundiaí
MSN:
LJ-1676
YOM:
2002
Location:
Jundiaí
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole aboard, was completing a local flight from Jundiaí-Comandante Rolim Adolfo Amaro Airport. Shortly after takeoff from runway 36, the pilot reported to ATC that the engine lost power and that he was not able to maintain a safe altitude. He was cleared for an immediate return and completed a circuit. On final approach to runway 18, he lost control of the airplane that crashed 180 metres short of runway and came to rest upside down, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- Upon intercepting the final leg for landing, the aircraft crossed the approach axis, and the pilot, in an attempt to make the aircraft join the approach axis again, may have depressed the rudder pedal in an inadequate manner, inadvertently making the aircraft enter a Cross Control Stall.
- The pilot, intentionally, violated a number of aeronautical regulations in force in order to fly an aircraft for which he had no training and was not qualified.
- The short experience of the pilot in the aircraft model hindered the correct identification of the situation and the adoption of the necessary corrective measures.
- The DCERTA’s vulnerability allowed a non-qualified pilot to file a flight notification by making use of the code of a qualified pilot. Thus, the last barrier capable of preventing the accident flight to be initiated was easily thrown down, by making it difficult to implement a more effective supervisory action.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 350 Super King Air in Puerto Aguirre: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 2012 at 0056 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 350 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
CC-AEB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Punta Arenas - Santiago
MSN:
FL-128
YOM:
1995
Location:
Puerto Aguirre
Región Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2578
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2296
Copilot / Total hours on type:
118
Aircraft flight hours:
6218
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was performing an ambulance flight from Puntas Arenas to Santiago with two pilots on board, one patient, three doctors and two relatives. Following an uneventful flight at FL280, the crew was cleared to descend when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent while the crew was in contact with Puerto Montt ATC. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed on the north slope of the Macá volcano, some 10 km northeast of Puerto Aguirre. The wreckage was found in the morning of March 24 at an altitude of 2,347 metres. The aircraft disintegrated and all 8 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 off in Caballococha

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2012 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
FAP-317
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Iquitos - Caballococha
MSN:
324
YOM:
1971
Location:
Caballococha
Loreto
Country:
Peru
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane landed hard in the Caballococha's Laguna. Upon landing on water, the right float was torn off, the aircraft overturned and sank. All 11 occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was performing a flight from Iquitos on behalf of the 42nd Group of the Peruvian Air Force.
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