Crash of a IAI 1124A Westwind II in Treasure Cay: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 5, 2021 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N790JR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Treasure Cay – Nassau
MSN:
424
YOM:
1984
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On the 5th July, 2021 at approximately 3:45PM, EDT (1945UTC), an Israeli Aircraft Industries, (IAI) Westwind 1124A aircraft, United States registration N790JR, crashed a short distance from the end of runway 32 at the Treasure Cay International Airport (MYAT), Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. The aircraft plowed through airport lighting equipment at the end of the runway, hitting and breaking several trees along its path. A trail of aviation fuel and pieces of the aircraft and avionics equipment from the flight deck, were left behind before the aircraft finally hit a small mound (hill), spinning, hitting several additional trees, breaking apart and bursting into flames. The aircraft came to rest at coordinates 26°45’21.50”N, 77°24’7.26”W, approximately 2,000 feet (.33 miles) from the end of runway 32. As this airport did not have a fire truck or crash and rescue personnel stationed on site, assistance with fire services were requested from the town. Two firetrucks from the township responded, however, due to the location of the crash, and no access road available, the trucks were unable to reach the crash site and assist in extinguishing the blaze. The fire continued unimpeded, dampened only by the intermittent downpour of rain, which did not aid in extinguishing the blaze, but rather, only limited the spread of the fire to surrounding bushes. The raging fire totally destroyed the aircraft and much of the control surfaces and components in the direct area of the blaze. On July 6, a team of investigators from the AAIA and CAA-B were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival of the investigation team, surrounding brush and trees, as well as some parts and components of the aircraft were still burning. Initial assessments pointed to a possible failure of the aircraft to climb and perform as required. Runway 14/32 is 7,001 x 150 feet with an asphalt surface and based on the distance the aircraft traveled from the end of the runway to its final resting place, the signature marking on trees and airport lighting fixtures struck by the aircraft, in addition to the ground scars, along with pieces of the aircraft beyond the runway, up to the final resting place of the aircraft, it appears the aircraft was approximately 2 to 5 feet about the surface and not developing any lift or climb performance, while developing full power over the ground, striking trees and brush along its path. Investigations uncovered the private flight with a crew of two (2), proposed a flight time departure of 2:10PM EDT from the Treasure Cay International Airport (MYAT), with a planned destination of Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN) and an arrival time of 2:33PM EDT, according to flight plan retrieved from Flightaware.com. The flight plan did not specify whether the flight would be operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). According to witness statements taken at Treasure Cay, witnesses recalled two pilots entering the ramp after 3 pm. Witnesses also stated that one of the persons onboard advised customs that they will be departing for Marsh Harbor for fuel in the aircraft (N790JR).
Probable cause:
The AAIA has classified the accident as a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and determined the probable cause of the CFIT accident is due to the failure of the aircraft to climb (perform) as required.
Contributing factors which resulted in the failure of the aircraft to perform as required includes:
- Failure of the crew to configure the aircraft for the proper takeoff segment,
- Crew unfamiliarity with the aircraft systems.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Jolo: 52 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2021 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5125
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cagayan de Oro - Jolo
MSN:
5125
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
88
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
52
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Cagayan de Oro Airport to transfer troops to Jolo. On board were 88 passengers and a crew of 8, including three pilots. After landing on runway 09 at Jolo Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, collided with several house and came to rest in a wooded area, bursting into flames. At least 49 occupants were killed as well as three people on the ground. All others were injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Wichita

Date & Time: Jul 1, 2021 at 1908 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N10HK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sioux Falls – Wichita
MSN:
60-0715-8061222
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
420
Captain / Total hours on type:
95.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2744
Circumstances:
The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight when, about 8 miles north of his intended destination, he reduced engine power, pitched for level flight, and waited for indicated airspeed to drop below 174 kts to add 20° of flaps. As soon as the drag was introduced, the airplane began to “buck back and forward,” and the two engines were “throttling up and down on their own.” He noted that the right engine seemed to be “sputtering and popping” more than the left engine, so he decided to raise the flaps and to shut down and feather the right engine. He declared an emergency to air traffic control. The pilot then noticed that the left engine was “slowly spooling down” and the airplane was not able to maintain airspeed and altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing to a flat, muddy wheat field about 4 nautical miles from the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector traveled to the accident site to examine the airplane. Flight control and engine control continuity were confirmed. The master switch was turned on and the fuel gauges showed a zero indication. There was no evidence of fuel at the accident site or in the airplane. During the recovery of the airplane from the field, no fuel was found in the three intact fuel tanks, nor in any of the engine fuel lines. The pilot later stated that he ran the airplane out of fuel during the accident flight. The pilot reported that, during the preflight checks and twice during the accident flight, he activated the low fuel warning light, and no anomalies were noted. Postaccident testing of the low fuel warning light in an exemplar Piper Aerostar 602P revealed no anomalies.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s improper fuel planning and management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208 Supervan 900 in Teuge

Date & Time: Jun 25, 2021 at 0933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH-FST
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Teuge - Teuge
MSN:
208B-0823
YOM:
2000
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6115
Aircraft flight hours:
9251
Circumstances:
On the morning of 25 June 2021, the Cessna 208B with registration PH-FST was parked inside the hangar of a maintenance organization. The organization performed maintenance tasks on the aircraft on a regular basis. The maintenance organization had scheduled to perform a maintenance task before the planned flights that day. When the aircraft was on ground with the engine off, erratic and high engine Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) readings were reported. The maintenance organization suspected a faulty magnetic pick-up in the engine’s propeller governor to be the cause of these erratic EGT readings. A mechanic under supervision of a licensed engineer was tasked to replace the magnetic pick-up. After removal of the old magnetic pick-up, the mechanic followed steps one through four of the maintenance manual to install the new magnetic pick-up. Steps five through eight, a system voltage test to check correct installation, were not noticed by the mechanic and as a result not carried out. After connecting the wiring and tightening the lock nut, the mechanic, together with the pilot, did a static engine test run and performed the Single Red Line (SRL) check to verify the system and EGT readings. After the system was found to be functioning correctly, the mechanic left the aircraft and the pilot taxied to the skydive organization's building to pick up parachutists. Following the boarding of seventeen parachutists, the pilot taxied to runway 26 and commenced the takeoff roll. Shortly after takeoff, without any warning, the engine lost power at approximately 400 feet above field level. The pilot made an emergency landing in a field whereby the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, landing gear and propeller. One parachutist suffered minor injuries.
Probable cause:
During the initial climb after takeoff, the aircraft suffered a complete loss of engine power as a result of the uncommanded feathering of the propeller. This feathering was the result of damage that occurred within the propeller governor. Most probably, the incorrect installation of the magnetic pick-up in the propeller governor prior to the accident flight led to contact damage between the pick-up and the rotating toothed gear. Debris restricted the free movement of the ball head assembly in the governor housing, allowing all oil to drain from the propeller dome and causing the propeller to continuously move to the feather position and eventually cease rotation. The increasing pitch of the propeller led to a power reduction of the engine which reinforced itself. The distorted output signal of the damaged magnetic pick-up did not cause the engine flame out. The design of the propeller governor’s toothed gear makes it possible to position the magnetic pick-up in between its teeth. The maintenance procedure for the replacement of the magnetic pick-up did not specifically mention or address this. The final steps of this procedure, a voltage check to verify the correct placement of the pick-up, were not performed by the maintenance staff. The design of the toothed gear in combination with the procedure in the maintenance manual allowed for the incorrect installation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in Tanay: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 2021 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF-94603
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tanay - Tanay
MSN:
892328
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a local skydiving mission in Tanay, Kemerovo oblast. On board were 17 skydivers and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a grassy area. Both pilots and two passengers were killed while 15 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed. It is believed that the right engine suffered a power loss.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in Bukavu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 2021 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
S9-GRJ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bukavu - Shabunda
MSN:
872006
YOM:
1987
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Bukavu-Kavumu Airport on a cargo flight to Shabunda, carrying one passenger, two pilots and a load consisting of 1,600 kg of metal sheet. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a prairie located near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900D in Pyin Oo Lwin: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 2021
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4610
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Naypyidaw – Pyin Oo Lwin
MSN:
UE-325
YOM:
1998
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Naypyidaw on a flight to Pyin Oo Lwin, carrying 14 passengers and two pilots, among them high ranking officers and monks. On final approach to Pyin Oo Lwin-Anisakan Airport runway 21, the aircraft collided with obstacles and crashed near a steel plant located about 3 km short of runway threshold. A pilot and three passengers were injured while 12 other occupants were killed. Development will follow.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P-425 Pressurized Navajo in Myrtle Beach: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 2021 at 1814 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N575BC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Myrtle Beach - North Myrtle Beach
MSN:
31-7730003
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Aircraft flight hours:
4826
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 1812, with the intended destination of Grand Strand Airport (CRE), North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast and air traffic control (ATC) communications information, the pilot established contact with ATC and reported that he was ready for departure from runway 18. He was instructed to fly runway heading, climb to 1,700 ft mean sea level (msl), and was cleared for takeoff. Once airborne, the controller instructed the pilot to turn left; however, the pilot stated that he needed to return to runway 18. The controller instructed the pilot to enter a right closed traffic pattern at 1,500 ft msl. As the airplane continued to turn to the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, it reached an altitude of about 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl). While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane descended to 450 ft msl, climbed to 700 ft msl, and then again descended to 475 ft msl before radar contact was lost. About 1 minute after the pilot requested to return to the runway, the controller asked if any assistance was required, to which the pilot replied, “yes, we’re in trouble.” There were no further radio communications from the pilot. The airplane crashed in a field and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The mechanic’s inadvertent installation of the elevator trim tabs in reverse, which resulted in the pitch trim system operating opposite of the pilot’s input and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 350 Super King Air in Kaduna: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 2021 at 1800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
NAF203
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
FL-891
YOM:
2013
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kaduna Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 11 occupants were killed, among them General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army. He was returning to Kaduna with a delegation of six other Army officers, among them three Brigadier General.
Crew:
F/Lt T. Asaniyi,
F/Lt A. Olufade,
Sgt Adesina,
Acm Oyedepo.
Passengers:
Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru,
Br/Gen M. Abdulkadir,
Br/Gen Olayinka,
Br/Gen Kuliya,
Maj Lawal Hayat,
Maj Hamza,
Sgt Umar.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Ravenna: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 14, 2021 at 1140 LT
Operator:
Registration:
I-HSKC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ravenna - Ravenna
MSN:
779
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Ravenna-La Spreta Airport in the morning on a local training flight consisting of a licence renewal for one of the pilots. En route, in unclear circumstances, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed at the bottom of a building located about 1,400 metres south of the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.