Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching Zhengzhou AFB, the aircraft collided with a second China Air Force Shaanxi Y-8 registered 31242 and also carrying a crew of eight. One of the aircraft crashed short of runway while the second crashed onto a house. All 16 occupants in both aircraft were killed as well as six people in the house. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown.

Crash of a Shaanxi Y-8 at Zhengzhou AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 4, 2001

Type of aircraft:

Shaanxi Y-8

Operator:

Registration:

31242

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching Zhengzhou AFB, the aircraft collided with a second China Air Force Shaanxi Y-8 registered 31243 and also carrying a crew of eight. One of the aircraft crashed short of runway while the second crashed onto a house. All 16 occupants in both aircraft were killed as well as six people in the house. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown.

Crash of a BAe 4101 Jetstream 41 in Charlottesville

Date & Time: Dec 29, 2000 at 2234 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bae Jetstream 41

Operator:

Registration:

N323UE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Schedule:

Washington DC – Charlottesville

MSN:

41059

YOM:

1995

Flight number:

UA331

Location:

Charlottesville

Virginia

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4050

Captain / Total hours on type:

1425.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

4818

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

14456

Circumstances:

The twin-engine turboprop airplane touched down about 1,900 feet beyond the approach end of the 6,000-foot runway. During the rollout, the pilot reduced power by pulling the power levers aft, to the flight idle stop. He then depressed the latch levers, and pulled the power levers further aft, beyond the flight idle stop, through the beta range, into the reverse range. During the power reduction, the pilot noticed, and responded to a red beta light indication. Guidance from both the manufacturer and the operator prohibited the use of reverse thrust on the ground with a red beta light illuminated. The pilot pushed the power levers forward of the reverse range, and inadvertently continued through the beta range, where aerodynamic braking was optimum. The power levers continued beyond the flight idle gate into flight idle, a positive thrust setting. The airplane continued to the departure end of the runway in a skid, and departed the runway and taxiway in a skidding turn. The airplane dropped over a 60-foot embankment, and came to rest at the bottom. The computed landing distance for the airplane over a 50-foot obstacle was 3,900 feet, with braking and ground idle (beta) only; no reverse thrust applied. Ground-taxi testing after the accident revealed that the airplane could reach ground speeds upwards of 85 knots with the power levers at idle, and the condition levers in the flight position. Simulator testing, based on FDR data, consistently resulted in runway overruns. Examination of the airplane and component testing revealed no mechanical anomalies. Review of the beta light indicating system revealed that illumination of the red beta light on the ground was not an emergency situation, but only indicated a switch malfunction. In addition, a loss of the reverse capability would have had little effect on computed stopping distance, and none at all in the United States, where performance credit for reverse thrust was not permitted.

Probable cause:

The captain's improper application of power after responding to a beta warning light during landing rollout, which resulted in an excessive rollout speed and an inability to stop the airplane before it reached the end of the runway.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air in Blackbushe: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 2000 at 1351 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VP-BBK

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Schedule:

Blackbush - Palma de Mallorca

MSN:

BB-1519

YOM:

1995

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2664

Captain / Total hours on type:

1243.00

Circumstances:

The aircraft, with the pilot and four passengers on board, departed Blackbushe from Runway 08 in fog with a visibility of less than 500 metres. As the aircraft reached the upwind end of the runway it was seen to bank to the left before disappearing from view. It crashed 13 seconds later into a factory complex where a major fire ensued. All on board were fatally injured. A substantial amount of the aircraft structure was consumed by fire. Engineering examination of that which remained showed that there was no malfunction found within the engines, propellers or controls that would have affected the flight. Analysis of the cockpit voice recorder however showed a reduction in one of the propellers rpm as the aircraft rotated that would have led to thrust asymmetry. Through a combination of lack of visual reference, confusion as to the cause of the power reduction and possible disorientation the pilot lost control of the aircraft and although he may have realised the situation seconds before impact with the ground there was insufficient height available to effect a safe recovery.

Probable cause:

Whilst the CVR does not provide any comments by the pilot as to the problems he was experiencing, spectral analysis of the CVR recording indicates that a significant difference in propeller rpm occurred at rotation when the pilot would normally have removed his right hand from the power levers. There was no evidence of a malfunction in either engine or the propeller control systems thus it is probable that migration of a power lever(s) occurred due to insufficient friction being set on the power lever friction control. The fiction control had been slackened during recent maintenance and it was possible that it was not adjusted sufficiently by the pilot during his checks prior to takeoff. His simulator training had included engine failures but as far as could be established, the pilot had not encountered or been trained for the situation of power lever(s) migration during takeoff. With his level of experience the pilot should have controlled the resultant asymmetric thrust and in reasonable conditions continued the takeoff to a safe height where analysis of the problem could have been carried out. In the event the takeoff was carried out in extremely low visibility conditions leading to the pilot's total loss of any ground references within seconds of lift off. Having controlled the aircraft initially the lack of visual reference with the ground, possible confusion with attitude instrument bank angle display, physical disorientation brought about by cockpit activity and confusion as to the exact nature of the problem led the pilot to lose control of the aircraft at a low altitude. The unusual attitude developed by the aircraft and the reason for the power asymmetry may have been recognised by the pilot several seconds before impact however there was insufficient height available for him to effect a safe recovery. The transition from visual to instrument flight in the low visibility conditions existing at the time of departure was considered to be a major contributory factor in this accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Nosara

Date & Time: Dec 20, 2000 at 1045 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

TS Aviation

Registration:

N908AB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Guanacaste (North Pacific)

Schedule:

Nosara - San José

MSN:

402B-0908

YOM:

1975

Location:

Nosara

Country:

Costa Rica

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On December 20, 2000, about 1045 mountain standard time, a Cessna 402B, N908AB, registered to Pitts Aviation, Inc., and operated by TS Aviation, as a Costa Rican air taxi flight from Nosara, Costa Rica, to San Jose, Costa Rica, crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Nosara. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot and one passenger received serious injuries. Five passengers received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Civil aviation authorities reported the flight had a loss of power in one engine during initial climb after takeoff, was unable to maintain altitude, and collided with trees. A post crash fire erupted.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a BAe 125-700A in Jackson Hole

Date & Time: Dec 20, 2000 at 0126 LT

Type of aircraft:

BAe 125

Operator:

Registration:

N236BN

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Austin – Jackson Hole

MSN:

257051

YOM:

1979

Location:

Jackson Hole

Wyoming

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18120

Captain / Total hours on type:

1540.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3600

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1078

Aircraft flight hours:

8348

Circumstances:

The airplane was flying a full instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 18 at a high altitude airport (elevation 6,445 feet), in a mountainous area, at night. The control tower was closed for the night. The airport was located in a national park, and, therefore, the runway lights were not left on during the night. During non-tower operation hours, the procedure for turning on the runway lights called for the pilot to key the microphone multiple times on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), which was the tower frequency. The copilot of the accident airplane made multiple attempts to turn on the runway lights using the UNICOM frequency, which had been the CTAF until about 6 months before the accident. The captain continued his landing approach below approach minimums without the runway lights being on. While in the landing flare, the captain reported that strong cross-winds and blowing snow created a "white-out" weather condition. The airplane touched down 195 feet left of the runway centerline in snow covered terrain between the runway and taxiway. Two ILS Runway 18 approach plates were found in the airplane. One was out of date and showed the UNICOM frequency as the CTAF. The other was current and showed the tower frequency as the CTAF. All four occupants escaped uninjured, among them the actress Sandra Bullock and the musician Bob Schneider.

Probable cause:

The pilot's failure to follow IFR approach procedures and perform a missed approach when the runway was not in sight below approach minimums. Contributing factors were the copilot's failure to follow current ILS approach procedures and use the correct frequency to turn on the runway lights, the snowy whiteout conditions near the ground, and the dark night light conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Anápolis

Date & Time: Dec 19, 2000 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Augusto César Lemos Belo

Registration:

SP-FLU

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Canarana – Anápolis

MSN:

1G237-33

YOM:

1989

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Circumstances:

After being ferried from Alta Floresta following maintenance, the pilot was completing a flight from Canarana to Anápolis with two passengers on board. Upon touchdown on runway 07, he encountered crosswinds from the left and lost control of the airplane that veered off runway to the right. It flew over a ravine, struck irregularities in the terrain and came to rest. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft was still operated under a Polish registration SP-FLU while this was already cancelled. The owner was in the process of applying for a Brazilian certificate of registration.

Probable cause:

The following findings were identified:
- It was not possible to determine the contribution of the physiological aspect because the pilot was not found and his license had expired.
- At the critical moment of landing, a state of indecision was triggered in the pilot regarding the procedure to be adopted (landing or going around), impairing its decision-making capacity and causing delay in decision making.
- The pilot did not act adequately on the aircraft controls in order to counteract the action of the crosswind, allowing the aircraft to stand to the right of the approach axis and touch the right side of the runway. Subsequently, he was unable to prevent the left wings from climbing, causing the lower right wing to touch the ground and exit the runway.
- The pilot's decision not to go around immediately when he noticed the first signs of the aircraft's turning tendency, forced by the wind effect and, consequently, having lost full control of the aircraft, contributed to the worsening of the subsequent facts. The pilot acted belatedly when he decided to go around.
- The owner of the aircraft no longer verified that the technical qualification and the Certificate of Physical Capacity of the pilot were up to date for the performance of the air activity, as well as the certificates necessary for the operation of the aircraft. It also went against what prescribes the CTA certification, which establishes two pilots as the minimum crew for the aircraft.
- The left cross wind, associated with the inadequacy of the pilot's controls to counteract it, resulted in the right wing touching the ground, with consequent loss of control of the aircraft.
- The pilot failed to carry out a readaptation flight in the aircraft with a qualified instructor, being for more than three years without flying in the equipment.

Final Report:

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 300 in Mokhotlong

Date & Time: Dec 16, 2000 at 0620 LT

Type of aircraft:

Casa 212 Aviocar

Operator:

Registration:

LDF-48

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Schedule:

Maseru - Mokhotlong

MSN:

390

YOM:

1989

Location:

Mokhotlong

Country:

Lesotho

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Maseru, the crew initiated the approach to Mokhotlong Airport. The left main gear touchdown 200 metres past the runway threshold. The right main gear landed few metres further. The gravel runway at Mokhotlong is 700 metres long. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest against a house about 100 metres past the runway end. All 13 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Poor flight preparation on part of the crew who failed to check the wind component at Mokhotlong Airport. The crew though the wind was calm while locals confirmed the wind was relatively strong with gusts. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft was too high and landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Norman: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 2000 at 0448 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Four Twenty One

Registration:

N52KL

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site: