Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo in Lokichoggio

Date & Time: Sep 29, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
5Y-OPL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
84
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Lokichoggio Airport, the airplane banked right, causing the right propeller and the right wing to struck the runway surface. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. There were no injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the right main gear was stuck in its wheel well because the door was blocked.

Ground accident of an Antonov AN-12BK in Luanda

Date & Time: Sep 29, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-311
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
8 3 454 10
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing to runway 23, the aircraft suffered a right landing gear failure and came to rest. There were no injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 402C in Vineyard Haven: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 2008 at 2003 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N770CA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Vineyard Haven - Boston
MSN:
402C-0432
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
9K1055
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
16746
Captain / Total hours on type:
2330.00
Aircraft flight hours:
26809
Circumstances:
The pilot of the multi engine airplane, operated by a regional airline, was conducting a positioning flight in night instrument meteorological conditions. After takeoff, the airplane made a slight left turn before making a right turn that continued until radar contact was lost. The airplane reached a maximum altitude of 700 feet before impacting terrain about 3 miles northwest of the departure airport. Post accident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact failures. The weather reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, included a visibility of 5 statute miles in light rain and mist and an overcast ceiling at 400 feet. Analysis of the radar and weather data indicated that, with the flight accelerating and turning just after having entered clouds, the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation.
Probable cause:
A loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 4000 in Quito

Date & Time: Sep 22, 2008 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-CDT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Quito – Coca
MSN:
11222
YOM:
1985
Flight number:
ICD504
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
62
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9292
Captain / Total hours on type:
109.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3889
Copilot / Total hours on type:
380
Aircraft flight hours:
42422
Aircraft flight cycles:
47727
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from runway 25 at Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, the crew noted a fire alarm connected to the forward cargo compartment. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, collided with the ILS antenna, went down an embankment then impacted a brick wall and came to rest 300 metres past the runway end. All 66 occupants were rescued, among them eight passengers were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew to follow the published procedures following a fire alarm, as stated in the Operations Manual and the late application of the procedures once the decision to abort the takeoff was taken.
Contributing factors:
- Complacency on part of the crew who failed to proceed with a pre-takeoff briefing,
- A fact that influenced the lack of appropriate action from the crew to successfully tackle any emergency,
- Lack of crew resources management,
- The braking coefficient was low because the runway surface was wet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 60 in Columbia: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2008 at 2353 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N999LJ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Columbia - Van Nuys
MSN:
314
YOM:
2006
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3140
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8200
Copilot / Total hours on type:
300
Aircraft flight hours:
108
Aircraft flight cycles:
123
Circumstances:
On September 19, 2008, about 2353 eastern daylight time, a Bombardier Learjet Model 60, N999LJ, owned by Inter Travel and Services, Inc., and operated by Global Exec Aviation, overran runway 11 during a rejected takeoff at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Columbia, South Carolina. The captain, the first officer, and two passengers were killed; two other passengers were seriously injured. Both pilots and two passengers were killed while two others were seriously injured. Both passengers who were admitted in a local hospital for high burns were DJ AM & Travis Barker of the Rock band called "Blink". They were travelling back to California after they gave a concert in South Carolina.
Probable cause:
The operator’s inadequate maintenance of the airplane’s tires, which resulted in multiple tire failures during takeoff roll due to severe underinflation, and the captain’s execution of a rejected takeoff (RTO) after V1, which was inconsistent with her training and standard operating procedures.
Contributing to the accident were:
- Deficiencies in Learjet’s design of and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) certification of the Learjet Model 60’s thrust reverser system, which permitted the failure of critical systems in the wheel well area to result in uncommanded forward thrust that increased the severity of the accident,
- The inadequacy of Learjet’s safety analysis and the FAA’s review of it, which failed to detect and correct the thrust reverser and wheel well design deficiencies after a 2001 uncommanded forward thrust accident,
- Inadequate industry training standards for flight crews in tire failure scenarios,
- The flight crew’s poor crew resource management (CRM).
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Tbilisi

Date & Time: Sep 18, 2008 at 2127 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4L-MJX
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1 73 070 04
YOM:
1971
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Tbilisi Airport by night, the aircraft's speed was excessive while passing over the inner marker at a height of 204 feet. Upon landing, the aircraft hit the ground with a positive aerodynamic force estimated between 1,81 and 1,97 G. The aircraft bounced several times and eventually hit the ground with a positive aerodynamic force of 4,82 G. The nose gear collapsed and punctured the cockpit floor. Then the aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. There were no injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration and excessive speed upon landing. It appears that the approach speed over the inner marker was 224 km/h instead of 170-180 km/h according to procedures. Also, the aircraft's attitude upon landing was incorrect.

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 602P) in Kremmling: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 2008 at 2024 LT
Registration:
N97TS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
North Las Vegas – Kremmling
MSN:
60-8265-036
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
500
Aircraft flight hours:
2786
Circumstances:
According to radar and Global Positioning System data, the pilot overflew the airport from the southwest and turned to the west to maneuver into position for landing on runway 9. Several witnesses observed the airplane to the west of the airport at a low altitude, appearing to enter a turn that was followed by a "rapid descent" and impact with the ground. The ground scars and
damage to the airplane were consistent with a near-vertical descent and impact. An examination of the airplane and its systems revealed no preaccident anomalies. The moon was obscured by an overcast sky and dark night conditions were prevalent.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and spin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Gippsland GA8 Airvan in Cooinda

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2008 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-KNE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cooinda - Cooinda
MSN:
GA8-08-128
YOM:
2008
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a local post maintenance test flight at Cooinda Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in the bush but the aircraft collided with a telephone pole and came to rest. The pilot escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou in Efogi

Date & Time: Sep 5, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A4-285
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
285
YOM:
1969
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Damaged beyond repair following structural failure due to fatigue upon landing at Efogi, PNG. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and dismantled.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune in Reno: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 2008 at 1810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4235T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Reno - Reno
MSN:
726-7285
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
Tanker 09
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
9520
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2812
Aircraft flight hours:
10217
Circumstances:
Just after the airplane's landing gear was retracted during takeoff for a retardant drop mission, a ball of fire was observed coming out of the left jet engine before the airplane rolled steeply to the left and descended into the terrain. Prior to takeoff, the captain said he would make the takeoff and provided a takeoff briefing concerning the runway to be used and his intentions should an emergency develop. Shortly thereafter, the captain informed the co-pilot that this would actually be his (the co-pilot's) takeoff. On the cockpit voice recorder, the co-pilot stated "Same briefing (sound of laughter)". The co-pilot did not give an additional takeoff briefing beyond the one given by the captain and the captain did not ask the co-pilot to give one. During the initial climb, the captain said he detected a fire on the left side of the airplane and the copilot responded that he was holding full right aileron. At no point did either pilot call for the jettisoning of the retardant load as required by company standard operating procedures, or verbally enunciate the jet engine fire emergency checklist. Recorded data showed that the airplane's airspeed then decayed below the minimum air control speed, which resulted in an increased roll rate to the left and impact with terrain. The 11th stage compressor disc of the left jet engine failed in fatigue, which caused a catastrophic failure of the compressor section and the initiation of the engine fire. Metallurgical examination of the fracture identified several origin points at scratches in the surface finish of the disk. The scratches were too small to have been observed with the approved inspection procedures used by the company. A review of the FAA sanctioned Approved Aircraft Inspection Program, revealed no shortcomings or anomalies in the performance or documentation of the program. A post-accident examination of the airframe and three remaining engines revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.
Probable cause:
The failure of the flight crew to maintain airspeed above in-flight minimum control speed (Vmca) after losing power in the left jet engine during initial climb after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the crew's inadequate cockpit resource management procedures, the failure of the captain to assume command of the airplane during the emergency, the flight crew's failure to carry out the jet engine fire emergency procedure, and the failure of the crew to jettison the retardant load.
Final Report: