Crash of a Lockheed KC-130F Hercules in Twentynine Palms

Date & Time: Feb 11, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
148895
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Twentynine Palms - Twentynine Palms
MSN:
3619
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
20960
Circumstances:
The crew departed Twentynine Palms on a local training flight. Shortly after takeoff, the engine n°1 failed. The aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height when the engine n°4 lost power. The crew attempted an emergency landing in a sandy area located about 4,5 km past the runway end. All eight crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine n°1 during initial climb and a loss of power on the engine n°4 for unknown reasons. As the aircraft was operated at its MTOW, the crew was unable to maintain a positive rate of climb.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond in Cleveland

Date & Time: Feb 10, 2002 at 2302 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N541CW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago - Cleveland
MSN:
004
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12478
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3899
Copilot / Total hours on type:
326
Aircraft flight hours:
7457
Circumstances:
As the airplane was descending to the airport, the pilot-in-command (PIC) calculated that the required distance to land on a dry runway would be 2,720 feet. The second-in-command (SIC) stated to the PIC, "all right if I touch down and there's no brakes I'm going around." The ILS Runway 23 approach was in use, and the braking action was reported "poor" by a Hawker Jet, which had landed prior to the accident flight. All runway surfaces were covered with a thin layer of snow. The airplane touched down with about 2,233 feet of runway remaining, of the 5,101-foot long runway. The airplane departed the end of the runway, and proceeded into an overrun grassy area, where the nose landing gear assembly collapsed. The tower controller advised the flightcrew prior to landing that the wind conditions were from 330 degrees at 18 knots. According to the airplane's Pilot's Operating Manual, the estimated landing distance on a dry runway, for the conditions at the time of the accident, was about 2,750 feet. No charts were available in the FAA approved Airplane Flight Manual, to compute a landing distance incorporating a contaminated runway. Review of 14 CFR Part 25.1, which prescribed airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates, and changes to those certificates, for transport category airplanes, revealed, "For landplanes and amphibians, the landing distance on land must be determined on a level, smooth, dry, hard-surfaced runway." There were no requirements for the applicant to determine landing distances on a wet or contaminated runway. The latest weather recorded at the airport, included winds from 330 degrees at 12 knots, gusts to 22 knots; visibility 3/4 statute mile, light snow; and overcast clouds at 300 feet.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touch down point on the runway, and the pilot-in-commands failure to initiate a go-round. Factors in the accident were the tailwind condition, the snow-covered runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E3 at Fort Bliss AFB

Date & Time: Feb 8, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
00-0292
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
89 23 07
YOM:
1989
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in trees while completing a local training flight at Fort Bliss AFB. All four crew members were rescued, among them two were injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Hobbs

Date & Time: Feb 4, 2002 at 1907 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N794CA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Las Vegas - Hobbs
MSN:
31-8120018
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2893
Captain / Total hours on type:
765.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4900
Circumstances:
At the conclusion of a dark night IMC cross-country flight, the pilot was being vectored onto the ILS approach. After stabilizing, the approach "was normal." At decision altitude, the pilot indicated that he could see the approach lights and the runway, but was not in a position to land so he executed a missed approach. After being vectored around for another approach, he stated that he was on the localizer but was "high" on the glide slope. After giving "a little" nose down pitch, he became distracted when the autopilot became "accidentally disengaged." The pilot stated that he "inadvertently descended through the glide slope and impacted the ground short of the runway." He further stated that the "first indication" that he was low was when the aircraft "struck the ground." The aircraft was destroyed on impact. A facility check conducted by the FAA of the ILS found all parameters within normal specifications.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the dark night light conditions and the pilot's diverted attention.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet C-21A at Ellsworth AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 2, 2002 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
84-0097
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ellsworth AFB - Ellsworth AFB
MSN:
35-543
YOM:
1984
Flight number:
Pacer 43
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The mishap aircraft, call sign Pacer 43, was conducting pattern work operations during an off-station training mission at Ellsworth AFB, SD (RCA). Shortly before impact, the mishap crew was conducting a simulated single-engine approach to runway 31 at Ellsworth AFB. Subsequent analysis showed that there was a significantly greater amount of fuel in the left wing and left wing tip tank than the right. The gross fuel imbalance resulted from an unmonitored transfer of fuel from the right wing and right wing tip tank to the left that was initiated by the crew approximately nine and one-half minutes before impact. As the aircraft approached the point when it would normally transition to a flare, it leveled off and began a climbing turn to the west, toward the tower. It did not touch down prior to the turn, but veered left immediately during the flare, and then rolled back to wings level momentarily as it climbed. The heavier left wing, and application of power to the right engine for the go-around, caused the aircraft to roll back into a steeper left turn, stayed in a climbing left turn with the bank continuing to increase until il rolled through more than 90 degrees of bank. As the aircraft reached the highest point of the climb (approximately 450 feet), the bank angle was more than 90 degrees, and perhaps slightly inverted as the nose dropped and the aircraft began to descend. The aircraft impacted the ground in a grassy field.
Probable cause:
The crew's failure to follow flight manual procedures for fuel transfer. As a result, the mishap aircraft experienced a fuel imbalance significant enough to cause the aircraft to enter an unsafe roll to the left from which the pilot was not able to recover.

Crash of a Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne II-XL in Ames

Date & Time: Jan 30, 2002 at 1810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N66MT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Broomfield – Ames
MSN:
42-8166060
YOM:
1981
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot said he was on the glide slope for an ILS approach. The pilot said, "The autopilot was coupled on to the approach. The autopilot also coupled on to the Glide slope. Approximately 2-1/2 to 3 miles out, we visually had approach lights and runway lights. I then disconnected the autopilot and yaw damper, and hand flew a visual approach using the glide slope indicator as a cross check for a correct glide path to the airport. Continuing visually on the approach, I checked the GS (glide slope) and it indicated we were slightly above glide path, but was corrected, and seconds later hit a pole going through electrical wires, coming to rest short of the approach lights and to the right." An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. An examination of the ILS approach to the runway showed the facility operated satisfactorily.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path during the final portion of the approach. Factors relating to this accident were the low altitude and the utility pole.
Final Report:

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 Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2M-1 Turbo Porter in Altenrhein

Date & Time: Jan 29, 2002
Operator:
Registration:
V-615
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
635
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On takeoff, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a grassy area beside the runway. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Luena: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-304
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda - Luena
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While approaching runway 11/29 in heavy rain falls, the four engine aircraft crashed two km short of runway. Two crew members and three passengers were killed. The aircraft was completing a flight from Luanda to Luena on behalf of the Government of the State of Moxico.

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.