Crash of a Boeing 727-30C in Belo Horizonte

Date & Time: Mar 18, 2002 at 2218 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VLV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Salvador - Belo Horizonte
MSN:
19009
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
VLO9051
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 16 at Belo Horizonte-Tancredo Neves-Confins Airport, the three engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway at high speed, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-2 Skyservant off Los Roques

Date & Time: Feb 2, 2002 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-679C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Caracas - Los Roques
MSN:
4135
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a charter flight from Caracas to Los Roques, carrying 12 passengers and two pilots, among them seven Italian tourists. Over the Los Roques Island, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted to ditch the aircraft off Larga Island. All 14 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank by a depth of four metres and was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Kavak

Date & Time: Jan 29, 2002 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
YV-1043CP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Elena de Uairén - Kavak
MSN:
1AJ009-11
YOM:
1991
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on dirt runway 06/24 at Kavak Airstrip, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the right and came to rest. All 17 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The runway conditions was poor at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear due to the presence of fatigue cracks. The poor runway conditions was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Boeing 727-134 on Mt El Cumbal: 94 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 2002 at 1024 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BLF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Quito - Tulcán - Cali
MSN:
19692
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
EQ120
Country:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
87
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
94
Captain / Total flying hours:
12091
Captain / Total hours on type:
8263.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7058
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3457
Aircraft flight hours:
64001
Aircraft flight cycles:
49819
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport runway 17 at 1001LT on a flight to Cali with an intermediate stop in Tulcán, carrying 87 passengers and 7 crew members. The flight was completed at an altitude of 18,000 feet on airway G-675 towards Ipiales, south Colombia. At a distance of 29 NM from Tulcán, the crew was cleared to descend to 14,000 feet and was briefed about the last weather conditions at destination. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to comply with the company SOP's and started the descent at an excessive speed of 230 knots while the approach procedure called for a speed of 180 knots. Also, the crew was not following the proper approach track for the Tulcán-Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla Airport. In poor visibility due to clouds, at an altitude of 14,700 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Cumbal located about 30 km northwest of Ipiales. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 94 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 1,400 feet below the summit.
Probable cause:
The probable cause was:
- The decision of the instructor captain and his crew to initiate and continue the operation towards Tulcán Airport below minima weather conditions as established in the company's SOPs.
- Inadequate navigation and operation of the aircraft by the pilot-in-command and directed by the instructor captain, consisting of entering the holding pattern of the Tulcán radio beacon with a speed of 230 knots (IAS) and with a banking of 15° exceeding the maximum stipulated speed limit of 180 knots during the entire procedure including the holding pattern and using a banking below the recommended range of 25° to 30°, thus exceeding the lateral navigation and obstacle protection limits of the holding pattern, leading this operation to the collision with Mt El Cumbal.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 400M in Guayaramerín

Date & Time: Jan 22, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-94
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10600
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Guayaramerín Airport, about seven minutes prior to ETA, the pilot informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was able to continue the approach. After touchdown, the aircraft failed to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and right wing and came to rest. All 44 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine on approach for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227C on Mt El Tigre: 26 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 2002 at 1101 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AYM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Quito – Nueva Loja
MSN:
511
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Captain / Total flying hours:
17709
Captain / Total hours on type:
8338.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12229
Copilot / Total hours on type:
6066
Aircraft flight hours:
29154
Aircraft flight cycles:
45178
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport at 1038LT on a charter flight to Nueva Loja-Lago Agrio Airport, carrying 21 oil workers and and five crew members on behalf of the Texaco Oil Company. While cruising under VFR mode at an altitude of 15,500 feet, the crew was instructed by ATC to change heading to 094° in order to descent to Nueva Loja for a landing on runway 23. But the crew failed to comply with this instruction and continued straight ahead. Few minutes later, the crew started the descent in foggy conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Tigre located in the south part of Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. The wreckage was found three days later at an altitude of 4,500 metres. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 26 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain after the crew suffered a loss of situational awareness since their attention was focused on aspects that were not related to the flight being executed and therefore neglecting the primary function of flight which is the control of the aircraft and decision making.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew failed to maintain a sterile cockpit situation,
- The crew was continuously distracted during the flight,
- Lack of technical documentation in the CIA that supports the operation,
- Lack of crew training about Crew Resources Management, human factors and Control Flight Into Terrain(CFIT),
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident on Mt El Tigre made it impossible for the crew to see the mountain,
- The aircraft was not equipped with a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS).
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E near Medellín: 16 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 2001 at 1025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4175X
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Medellín – Quibdó
MSN:
86 16 18
YOM:
1986
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Captain / Total flying hours:
10482
Captain / Total hours on type:
2340.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
250
Copilot / Total hours on type:
42
Aircraft flight hours:
1863
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport runway 01, the crew initiated a turn to the right and continued to climb. In poor visibility due to clouds, at an altitude of 9,200 feet, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Silencio near San Antonio de Prado. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 16 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather was poor with towering cumulus and rain falls.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to comply with the departure route and the company standard operating procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226TC Metro II in Bahía Blanca

Date & Time: Nov 27, 2001 at 0538 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LV-WSD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires – Bahía Blanca
MSN:
TC-237E
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8200
Captain / Total hours on type:
929.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
40
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini Airport, the crew started a night approach to Bahía Blanca-Comandante Espora Airport. The approach and landing on runway 34R were considered as normal. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure and the aircraft rolled for a distance of 1,200 metres when it started to deviate to the right. It veered off runway, rolled for 150 metres then lost its nose gear and came to a halt. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The aircraft veered off runway after landing due to the possible combination of the following factors:
- A possible (but not confirmed) failure or malfunction of the left engine reverse thrust system,
- Crosswind close to the maximums specified in the flight manual,
- Lack of corrective actions on part of the crew who failed to identify a possible failure,
- Inappropriate use of the nosewheel steering system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Buriti Alegre

Date & Time: Nov 25, 2001 at 1205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-DNP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goiânia – Buriti Alegre
MSN:
B-56
YOM:
1970
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13316
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Buriti Alegre Airfield runway 05, following an uneventful flight from Goiânia-Santa Genoveva Airport, the pilot attempted to lower the flaps twice but the circuit breakers opened. He decided to continue the approach in a flapless configuration when, on short final, the aircraft stalled and collided with a wall located 15 metres short of runway. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane landed on its belly, slid for 500 metres and came to rest, bursting into flames. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
The pilot decided to continue the approach in a flapless configuration and at an insufficient speed, which caused the aircraft to stall on short final.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-820C Navajo in Brasília: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 2001 at 1645 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PT-RAZ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bom Jesus da Lapa – Brasília
MSN:
820-114
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2700.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2633
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Bom Jesus da Lapa, the pilot started the descent to Brasília Airport runway 29. On final approach, in a gear and flaps down configuration, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The pilot elected to restart the engine when the aircraft deviated from the approach path to the right, lost height and struck a promontory located 61 metres from the runway threshold. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. 23 days later, the passenger died from his injuries.
Probable cause:
No technical anomalies were found on both engines. The fuel selector was positioned on the auxiliary tanks who had sufficient fuel at the time of the accident. It was reported that the pilot elected to continue the approach on one engine, letting himself be carried away by the luck factor that he benefited in the past in other similar situations.
Final Report: