Crash of a Short 360-300 in Watertown

Date & Time: Feb 5, 2006 at 1654 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N372AC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Milwaukee - Milwaukee
MSN:
3720
YOM:
1987
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1524
Captain / Total hours on type:
630.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
519
Copilot / Total hours on type:
122
Aircraft flight hours:
21996
Circumstances:
Prior to departure, both flight crews decided that they would join-up while in flight to take video and still pictures of each airplane. Both aircraft were Shorts Brothers SD-360-300 turboprop airplanes. While flying in formation, N3735W announced over the radio that they would turn right, toward N372AC, and descend. During the turn, N3735W's left wing impacted the left wing and engine of N372AC. After the collision, N372AC rolled to the left and pitched down significantly before the flight crew regained control of the airplane. After the collision, N372AC was losing hydraulic fluid and eventually had a complete hydraulic system failure. The airplane made an emergency landing at a nearby airport with its flaps retracted and its landing gear partially extended. The airplane overran the end of the runway, coming to rest about 100 feet from the departure threshold. White paint transfer markings and scrapes were observed on the left wing deice boot, the outboard side of the left engine cowling was crushed inboard, the left wing-strut leading edge was torn open and bent, and the lower fuselage skin, immediately forward of the landing gear wheel wells and stub wing, was torn from left to right, consistent with a propeller strike. N3735W impacted terrain and the airplane was destroyed during a subsequent ground fire. The flight crew and passenger were killed. The outboard three-quarters of the left wing was separated from the main wreckage and was not fire damaged. The upper wing surface had linear scrapes diagonally across the wing skin. The left aileron from N3735W was found on the runway where N372AC had landed.
Probable cause:
The other airplane's flight crew failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering during formation flight. Contributing to the accident was the decision of both flight crews to fly in formation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in North Myrtle Beach: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2006 at 2045 LT
Registration:
N266EB
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Trenton - North Myrtle Beach
MSN:
BB-266
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3400
Aircraft flight hours:
8154
Circumstances:
The multi-engine airplane rolled inverted and dove into the ground on a landing approach. According to witnesses, the airplane made two approaches to runway 23. During the first approach the airplane was observed, "fish tailing" while about 30' feet over the runway. The airplane appeared to regain control and continued flying over the runway until passing the air traffic control tower, at which time the airplane began a climbing left turn. The witnesses stated that they heard the pilot tell the air traffic controller that he was doing a go-around. The controller asked the pilot if he had problems with the sea fog. The pilot responded back to the controller "no that his left engine kept power up a little too much and would not come back." The witnesses observed the airplane circle the airport to the left, and watched it line up on runway 23 for the second time. The witnesses stated that as the airplane descended to the runway and without any indication of trouble, the airplane "climbed and rolled left, went inverted and nosed down into the grass to the left of the runway and burst into flames." Examination of the airplane, airplane systems, engines, and propellers found no abnormal preimpact conditions that would have interfered with the normal operation of the airplane. No recorded radar data for the flight was located that captured the airplane's two attempted landings. Information contained in the Super King Air 200 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and FAA Approved Flight Manual (AFM) showed the stall speed with gear extended, 40-degrees flaps, and zero bank angle as 84 knots Indicated Air Speed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing approach for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1B at Ohakea AFB

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2006 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-UDO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
04412
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a private tour when enroute, the crew decided to divert to Ohakea AFB due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. On final approach, when full flaps was selected, the aircraft rolled left and right. The pilots could not control the aircraft that struck the runway surface and came to rest. While all occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the port flap jack linkage eye-bolt which caused an asymmetrical flap condition, causing the aircraft to be out of control.

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation in Greensboro

Date & Time: Feb 1, 2006 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N814ER
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Asheville - Greensboro
MSN:
500-0280
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1000
Aircraft flight hours:
12008
Circumstances:
The right main landing gear collapsed on landing. According to the flight crew, after departure they preceded to Mountain Air Airport, where they performed a "touch-and-go" landing. Upon raising the landing gear following the touch-and-go landing, they got an "unsafe gear" light. The crew stated they cycled the gear back down and got a "three green" normal indication. They cycled the gear back up and again got the "gear unsafe" light. They diverted to Greensboro, North Carolina, and upon landing in Greensboro the airplane's right main landing gear collapsed. After the accident, gear parts from the accident airplane were discovered on the runway at Mountain Air Airport. Metallurgical examination of the landing gear components revealed fractures consistent with overstress separation and there was no evidence of fatigue. Examination of the runway at Mountain Air Airport by an FAA Inspector showed evidence the accident airplane had touched down short of the runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude that led to an undershoot and the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAe 3102 Jetstream 31 in Cap Haïtien

Date & Time: Jan 31, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HH-DPL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
769
YOM:
1987
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Cap Haïtien Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran. The left hand side of the fuselage was punctured by propeller parts coming from the left engine. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact date of the mishap remains unknown, somewhere in January 2006.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Palwaukee: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 2006 at 1829 LT
Registration:
N920MC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Olathe - Palwaukee
MSN:
421B-0884
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
1284
Captain / Total hours on type:
33.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5437
Circumstances:
The airplane was destroyed and the occupants fatally injured when it impacted the ground during approach to landing. Examination of the airplane, its engines and propellers, revealed no anomalies that were determined to have existed prior to impact. The propellers were found to have been in their normal operating range and neither propeller was in a feathered position. The quill shafts of both engines showed evidence of damage due to the production of torque. A sound spectrum examination of audio transmissions showed signatures that both engines were operating during the last two radio transmissions from the airplane. Based on radar data, communications and meteorological information obtained during the investigation, the airplane was operating in visual meteorological conditions below an overcast layer of clouds. The radar data showed the airplane as it approached the airport and as it entered a left hand traffic pattern for runway 34. Radio communications confirmed that the airplane had been cleared for a left hand traffic pattern to runway 34. The radar data showed the airplane as it made a turn to the left while its speed decreased to about 82 knots calibrated airspeed as of the last received radar return. This radar return was about 0.1 nautical miles from the accident site and 0.8 nautical miles and 216 degrees from the approach end of runway 34. The airplane owner's manual listed stall speeds ranging from 81 to 94 knots calibrated airspeed for airplane configurations including gear and flaps up to gear down and flaps 15 degrees, and bank angles from 0 to 40 degrees. Flap position could not be determined because the flap chain had separated from the flap drive motor. The owner's manual also listed an approach speed of 103 knots.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing approach which led to an inadvertent stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and impact with the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12A in Mbuji-Mayi

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2006 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CER
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goma – Mbuji-Mayi
MSN:
2 34 08 05
YOM:
1962
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Goma to Mbuji-Mayi with a crew of 4 and a cargo consisting of fuel drums. The aircraft landed hard, causing both wings to break down. The undercarriage partially collapsed then the aircraft skidded for about 500 metres before coming to rest on the left side of the runway. A fire erupted in the rear of the cabin and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Cessna 560 Citation V in Carlsbad: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2006 at 0640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N86CE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sun Valley - Carlsbad
MSN:
560-0265
YOM:
1994
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7500
Aircraft flight hours:
4720
Circumstances:
Air traffic control cleared the flightcrew for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 24, which was 4,897 feet long. The flightcrew then reported that they had the runway in sight, cancelled their instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and executed a visual flight rules (VFR) approach in VFR conditions to the airport. The reported winds favored a landing toward the east, onto the opposite runway (runway 6). During the approach, after a query from the first officer, the captain indicated to the first officer that he was going to "...land to the east," consistent with the reported winds. However, the final approach and subsequent landing were made to runway 24, which produced a six-knot tailwind. During the approach sequence the captain maintained an airspeed that was approximately 30 knots higher than the correct airspeed for the aircraft's weight, resulting in the aircraft touching down about 1,500 feet further down the runway than normal, and much faster than normal. The captain then delayed the initiation of a go-around until the first officer asked if they were going around. Although the aircraft lifted off the runway surface prior to departing the paved overrun during the delayed go-around it impacted a localizer antenna platform, whose highest non-frangible structure was located approximately 304 feet past the end of the runway, and approximately two feet lower than the terrain at the departure end of the runway. The aircraft continued airborne as it flew over downsloping terrain for about 400 more feet before colliding with the terrain and a commercial storage building that was located at an elevation approximately 80 feet lower than the terrain at the end of the runway. The localizer antenna platform was located outside of the designated runway safety area, and met all applicable FAA siting requirements. The captain had type 2 diabetes, for which he took oral medication and monitored blood sugar levels. He did not reveal his history of diabetes to the FAA. The captain's post-accident toxicology testing was consistent with an elevated average blood sugar level over the previous several months; however, no medical records of the captain's treatment were available, and the investigation could not determine if the captain's diabetes or treatment were potentially factors in the accident. The captain of the accident flight was the sole owner of a corporation that was asked by the two owners of the accident airplane to manage the airplane for them under a Part 91 business flight operation. The two owners were not pilots and had no professional aviation experience, but they desired to be flown to major domestic airports so that they could transfer and travel internationally via commercial airlines. One of the two owners stated that the purpose of the accident flight was to fly a businessman to a meeting, and to also transport one of the owner's wives to visit family at the same destination. According to one of the owners, the businessman was interested in being a third owner in the accident airplane, so the owner permitted the businessman to fly. The owner also stated that the accident pilot told him that the passenger would pay for expenses directly related to the operation of the airplane for the flight (permitted under FAA Part 91 rules), and an "hourly fee" (prohibited under FAA Part 91 rules); however, no documentation was found to corroborate this statement for the accident flight or previous flights.
Probable cause:
The captain's delayed decision to execute a balked landing (go-around) during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident include the captain's improper decision to land with a tailwind, his excessive airspeed on final approach, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point during landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 350 Super King Air in Freiburg im Brisgau: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 2006 at 1826 LT
Operator:
Registration:
D-CUNO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Karlsruhe – Freiburg im Breisgau
MSN:
FL-311
YOM:
2001
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
1500
Circumstances:
After the crew dropped off passengers at Karlsruhe-Baden-Baden Airport, he was returning to his base in Freiburg im Breisgau. On final approach to runway 16 in marginal weather conditions (poor visibility due to night and fog), the crew descended too low when the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located 450 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft impacted ground during a controlled descent after the crew took the decision to continue the approach under VFR mode in poor visibility due to the night and foggy conditions.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Wetaskiwin

Date & Time: Jan 11, 2006 at 2045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-FBBC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Vermilion – Wetaskiwin
MSN:
31-48
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was landing on runway 30 at Wetaskiwin Airport following an IFR mail flight from Fort Vermilion. During the landing, the crew lost sight of the runway in a thin layer of dense fog that covered the airport. They aborted the landing, and the aircraft settled into a field about ½ mile northwest of the airport. Both pilots sustained serious injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The flight crew used a cell phone to call for help. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) activated during impact.