Crash of a Cessna 402C II in Martha's Vineyard

Date & Time: Jan 30, 2001 at 1835 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6837Y
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Providence – Martha’s Vineyard
MSN:
402C-0467
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
9K415
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1668
Captain / Total hours on type:
348.00
Aircraft flight hours:
19131
Circumstances:
The pilot departed on a scheduled flight conducted under night instrument meteorological conditions. Arriving in the area of the destination airport, the weather was reported as, winds from 220 degrees at 18 knots, gusts to 25 knots; 1/2 statute miles of visibility and haze; vertical visibility of 100 feet. The pilot was vectored and cleared for the ILS 24 approach. As the airplane crossed the glideslope, the pilot observed that the "ride" became increasingly bumpy and turbulent, with a strong wind component from the right. The approach lights came into view as the airplane neared the runway, but soon disappeared due to the low visibility. The pilot executed a missed approach, and as full power was applied, the airplane began to move laterally to the left. During the missed approach, a "thunk" was heard on the left side of the fuselage, and the airplane descended into the trees. The airplane came to rest in a wooded area about 1/4 mile from the Runway 24 threshold, about 1,000 feet to the left of the extended centerline. Review of the approach plate for the ILS 24 approach revealed that the glide slope altitude at the final approach fix for the non-precision approach, which was located about 4 miles from the approach end of the runway, was 1,407 feet. The glide slope altitude at the middle marker, which was located about 0.6 miles from the approach end of the runway, was 299 feet. Review of radar data revealed that the airplane intercepted the glideslope about 4 miles from the threshold of runway 24. In the following 2 minutes, 30 seconds, the airplane deviated below and returned to the glideslope centerline approximately 4 times, with a maximum deviation of 2-dots below the glideslope centerline. About 1-mile from the runway, the airplane began a trend downward from the glideslope centerline, descending below the 2- dot low deviation line of the glideslope to an altitude of about 300 feet, when the last radar hit was recorded. During the approach, the airplane's ground speed varied between 50 and 125 knots. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual chapter on Navigation Aids, Instrument Landing System (ILS), it stated that "Make every effort to remain on the indicated glide path." It also cautioned the pilot to, "Avoid flying below the glide path to assure obstacle/terrain clearance is maintained."
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach with an adequate vertical and lateral track. Also causal was his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-70 in Omsk

Date & Time: Jan 27, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UR-NTK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Omsk - Yakutsk
MSN:
77 01 02
YOM:
1997
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Omsk Airport on a test flight to Yakutsk, carrying 22 passengers and a crew of 11 in order to perform a test flight in low-temperature flight conditions, as part of the Ukrainian manufacturer's certification program. During initial climb, at a height of 20 metres, the engine n°3 lost power. The crew increased power on all three other engines and continued to climb. Less than 25 seconds laters, at a height of about 60 metres, the engine n°1 failed. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a snow covered terrain located 660 metres past the runway end. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest with severe damages to the fuselage (almost broke in two at wings level) and engines. All 33 occupants were rescued, among them four were injured, two seriously.
Probable cause:
The loss of power on engine n°3 was the result of the rupture of a hydraulic line located near the rotor. This failure caused a reduction of the blades' rotation on both propellers (counter-rotating system), creating severe vibrations. The crew increased power on all three remaining engines when a technical malfunction occurred on an electric sensor coupled to the turbine of the engine n°1, causing the automatic control unit to fail and the engine n°1 to stop.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Ciudad Bolívar: 24 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2001 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-224C
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Canaima – Ciudad Bolívar – Porlamar
MSN:
19055
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
RM225
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Ciudad Bolívar Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency following an engine failure and was cleared for an immediate return. The crew made a turn and while approaching runway 07, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the district of El Perú, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found about 3 km short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all 24 occupants were killed, among them 6 US citizens, five Dutch, four Italians, two Hungarian, one Austrian and six Venezuelan. Also, a young woman and her both children who were standing at the crash site were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft F90 King Air in Nashville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2001 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N17AE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nashville – Waukesha
MSN:
LA-80
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
1100
Aircraft flight hours:
5480
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff at less than 200 feet above ground level the pilot reported an engine failure, and requested to return to the airport. The controller saw the airplane in a right turn, descending, and observed the airplane level its wings just prior to impact with the tips of trees. The airplane collided with terrain approximately 2,000 feet east of the approach end of runway 20L. A post crash fire ensued and consumed a majority of the airplane. Examination of both engines displayed contact signatures to their internal components characteristic of the engines being powered, with the propellers out of feather at the time of impact, and a low power range. Examination of the propellers found the left propeller blades showed more damage then the blades from the right propeller. Both propellers were rotating with considerable rotational energy. However, examination showed that the left propeller had more power then the right.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to follow loss of engine power emergency procedures by not feathering the propeller following the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, resulting in a descent and collision with trees and the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Maiduguri

Date & Time: Jan 23, 2001 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9L-LCG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jos – Maiduguri
MSN:
85 15 31
YOM:
1985
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Jos on a charter flight to Maiduguri, carrying 14 passengers and four crew members for the Nigerian daily newspaper 'This Day'. After takeoff from Jos Airport, the crew was informed about good weather conditions at destination with a 9 km visibility that dropped few minutes later to 5 km. While approaching Maiduguri, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and ATC advised the crew to divert to another airport. The crew followed a holding pattern for few minutes for weather improvement but informed ATC that he was unable to divert due to insufficient fuel reserve. Eventually, the captain attempted an emergency landing 12 km from the airport. The aircraft crash landed in an open field and came to rest. All 18 occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Forced landing due to the deterioration of the weather conditions with tropical storm. Poor flight preparation from the crew who miscalculated the fuel reserve for a possible alternate airport. It was also determined that the crew was unable to locate the runway because the intensity of the runway light system was too low.

Crash of a Learjet 60 in Troy

Date & Time: Jan 14, 2001 at 1345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1DC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dallas - Troy
MSN:
60-035
YOM:
1994
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20750
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2325
Circumstances:
According to witnesses, the airplane collided with two deer shortly after touchdown. Following the collision, the airplane continued down the runway with the tires smoking, veered off the right side of the runway near the end, crossed a taxiway, impacted into a ditch and burst into flames. After the accident, the captain and first officer both reported that the thrust reversers failed to operate after they were deployed during the landing. Examination of the landing gear found all three gear collapsed. The right and left main tires had areas of rubber that were worn completely through. The flaps were found extended, and both thrust reversers were found in the stowed position. Examination of the cockpit found the throttles in the idle position, and the thrust reverser levers in the stowed position. Aircraft performance calculations indicate that the airplane traveled 1,500 feet down the runway after touchdown, in 4.2 seconds, before striking the deer. The calculations also indicate that the airplane landed with a ground speed of 124 knots. At 124 knots and maximum braking applied, the airplane should have come to a complete stop in about 850 feet. However, investigation of the accident site and surrounding area revealed heavy black skid marks beginning at the first taxiway turnoff about 1,500 feet down the 5,010 foot runway. The skid marks continued for about 2,500 feet, departed the right side of the runway and proceeded an additional 500 feet over grass and dirt. The investigation revealed that deer fur was found lodged in the squat switch on the left main landing gear, likely rendering the squat switch inoperative after the impact with the deer, and prior to the airplane’s loss of control on the runway. Since a valid signal from the squat switch is required for thrust reverser deployment, the loss of this signal forced the thrust reversers to stow. At this point, the electronic engine control (EEC) likely switched to the forward thrust schedule and engine power increased to near takeoff power, which led to the airplane to continue down the runway, and off of it. Following the accident, the manufacturer issued an Airplane Flight Manual revision that Page 2 of 8 ATL01FA021 changed the name of the “Inadvertent Stow of Thrust Reverser During Landing Rollout” abnormal procedure to “Inadvertent Stow of Thrust Reverser After a Crew-Commanded Deployment” and moved it into the emergency procedures section.
[This Brief of Accident was modified on April 5, 2010, based on information obtained during NTSB Case No. DCA08MA098.]
Probable cause:
On ground collision with deer during landing roll, and the inadvertent thrust reverser stowage caused by the damage to the landing gear squat switch by the collision, and subsequent application of forward thrust during rollout.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-820C Navajo in Jequié: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 2001
Operator:
Registration:
PT-EFA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ilhéus – Jequié
MSN:
820-025
YOM:
1976
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
15536
Captain / Total hours on type:
10179.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
650
Circumstances:
On approach to Jequié Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. While descending too low in the Vale de Pedra, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed few km from the airport. The captain was killed and the copilot was seriously injured. He died few hours later.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the descent under VFR mode in IMC conditions and descended too low to maintain a visual contact with the ground until the aircraft impacted terrain. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Lack of visibility,
- The crew failed to follow the published procedures.
Final Report:

Ground accident of a Boeing 727-287 in Buenos Aires

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2001 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-2323
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires - Santa Cruz
MSN:
22605/1787
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
138
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was taxiing at Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini Airport for a departure from runway 11 when the left main gear collapsed. All 146 occupants evacuated safely but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the left main landing gear collapsed because the forward trunnion bearing support fitting broke due to intergranular corrosion.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Palacios

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
316
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
31
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew completed the approach with a 13 knots tailwind component and landed too far down the runway, about half runway down. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest few dozen metres further. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 727-46F in Dundo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
S9-BAI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda – Dundo
MSN:
20078
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
40300
Aircraft flight cycles:
30800
Circumstances:
On final approach to Dundo Airport, on the last segment, the pilot-in-command reduced both engines power when the aircraft lost height and landed hard. Upon impact, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres, veered off runway to the right and came to rest near houses. All 10 people on board the aircraft escaped uninjured while one people on the ground was killed. The aircraft was written off.