Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Northampton

Date & Time: Sep 7, 2000 at 0755 LT
Registration:
N601WK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Northampton – Poughkeepsie
MSN:
61-0792-8063404
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4280
Captain / Total hours on type:
2641.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3595
Circumstances:
The airport consisted of a single runway oriented on a heading of 140/320 degrees. A taxiway oriented on a 120 degree heading intersected the runway at its midpoint. The pilot reported that the visibility was 500-1,000 feet with fog at the time of departure. Before he took off, the pilot asked his passenger to walk the length of the runway to observe any obstructions, due to the reduced visibility. The pilot then taxied to the run-up pad, set the heading of his HSI to 120 degrees, and initiated the takeoff. When the airspeed reached 80 knots, the pilot realized he had initiated the takeoff on the taxiway instead of the runway. He aborted the takeoff and attempted to maneuver the airplane to the runway. The airplane crossed the runway, impacted a tree, and came to rest upright in a cornfield. The weather reported at the time of the accident at an airport 9 miles away was: wind from 320 degrees at 2 knots; visibility 1/16 mile with fog; sky partially obscured; ceiling 200 feet overcast.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper preflight planning which resulted in an attempted takeoff from a taxiway. A factor in the accident was the fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in South Lake Tahoe: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 2000 at 1550 LT
Registration:
N88AM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
South Lake Tahoe – San Diego
MSN:
46-8508056
YOM:
1985
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Aircraft flight hours:
2845
Circumstances:
The airplane took off from the airport on a left downwind departure and after reaching an altitude of approximately 300 feet, banked steeply and dove into the ground. Witness statements indicated that the takeoff ground roll extended to midfield of the runway, a distance of 4,850 feet before the airplane lifted off. According to the Airplane Flight Manual performance charts, the normal ground roll should have been about 2,100 feet. While turning crosswind, the airplane steepened its bank and continued toward the downwind. As the angle of bank approached 90 degrees, the nose dropped and the airplane descended to impact with trees and the ground. Several trees were struck before the airplane came to rest on the underlying terrain in the backyard of a residence. The airplane was thermally destroyed in the impact sequence and post crash fire. Calculations of the airplane weight and balance data put it at least 251 pounds over maximum allowable gross takeoff weight. Remaining wreckage not consumed in the ground fire was examined and the engine was sent to the manufacturer for inspection. No discrepancies were found. Cockpit instrumentation and all autopilot components were thermally destroyed. Flaps and landing gear were found in the retracted position and the elevator trim surface was slightly nose up from the takeoff setting. The autopilot had a reported history of malfunction and the electric elevator trim system was scheduled for repair a week before the accident, but the owner took the airplane prior to the work being performed. The airplane had been modified with the addition of several Supplemental Type Certificates, one of which was a wing spoiler system. The controls and
many of the actuating linkages for the spoiler system were destroyed in the fire.
Probable cause:
The pilot's in-flight loss of control in the takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Abong Mbang

Date & Time: Aug 29, 2000 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TJ-AIM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Douala – Djoum – Abong Mbang
MSN:
31-8166061
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Douala on a flight to Abong Mbang with an intermediate stop in Djoum, carrying five passengers and one pilot. On final approach to Abong Mbang, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. On short final, the aircraft struck the ground about 60 metres short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft came to rest on its belly. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Freetown

Date & Time: Aug 24, 2000 at 1406 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9L-LBN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Freetown - Freetown
MSN:
851334
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Freetown-Lungi Intl Airport on a short positioning flight to Freetown-Hastings Airport. After takeoff, during initial climb, the twin engine aircraft entered clouds at an altitude of about 500 feet. While exiting the clouds, the crew noticed a Mil Mi-8 helicopter flying nearby. His crew was completing a local flight on behalf of the UNO. The crew of the Let attempted an evasive manoeuvre but the rotor of the helicopter struck the base of the aircraft's tail. The crew managed to return for an emergency landing but the undercarriage partially failed upon landing. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew of the helicopter was able to land safely.
Probable cause:
It was established that the crew of the Mi-8T helicopter did not pay attention to the radio communication between the controller and the crew of the L-410 aircraft. The crew of the Mi-8T helicopter was distracted because they were talking about the barge that sank on the coast. This barge was located on the left side of the helicopter, while Lungi Airport and the Let L-410 were on the right side.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in San Juan de Manapiare: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 2000 at 0703 LT
Registration:
YV-753C
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Puerto Ayacucho – San Juan de Manapiare
MSN:
207-0344
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to San Juan de Manapiare Airport in bad weather conditions, the single engine aircraft crashed on hilly terrain. The pilot and two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Atlanta:1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 2000 at 2244 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8WD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Houston – Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree
MSN:
P-258
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1800
Aircraft flight hours:
2665
Circumstances:
The pilot had experienced engine problems during a flight and requested maintenance assistance from the local maintenance repair station. Before the maintenance personnel signed off and completed the repairs, the pilot refueled the airplane, and attempted an instrument flight back to the originating airport. While enroute, the pilot reported a low fuel situation, and deviated to a closer airport. During the approach, the airplane lost engine power on both engines, collided with trees, and subsequently the ground, about a half of a mile short of the intended runway. There was no fuel found in the fuel system at the accident site. No mechanical problems were discovered with the airplane during the post-accident examination. This accident was the second time the pilot had exhausted the fuel supply in this airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to preflight plan adequate fuel for the flight that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Hazlehurst: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 2000 at 0825 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N801MW
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dothan - Hazlehurst
MSN:
31-8152136
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6400
Circumstances:
The flight was cleared for an NDB or GPS runway 14 instrument approach. The pilot was instructed to report procedure turn. Center radar reported the airplane's altitude was last observed at 200 feet. A witness observed the airplane as it collided with trees and the ground and, subsequently burst into flames. No mechanical problem with the airplane was reported by the pilot or discovered during the wreckage examination. Weather minimums for the approach are 800 feet an one mile. Low clouds were reported in the area at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Pilot's failure to follow instrument procedures and descended below approach minimums and collided with trees. A factor was low clouds.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Kisangani

Date & Time: Aug 15, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LZ-ITC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
00 346 909
YOM:
1970
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was completing a humanitarian flight to Kisangani on behalf of 'Médecins Sans Frontières'. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. All seven crew members escaped uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A in Iron Wood: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 2000 at 1822 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N85DW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brainerd – Flint
MSN:
380-27
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13037
Captain / Total hours on type:
2560.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7185
Circumstances:
The airplane impacted heavily wooded terrain after experiencing a dual engine failure due to a reported lightning strike. The pilot received a weather brief that included information concerning a Convective Sigmet and a Severe Weather Watch. The weather briefer informed the pilot that a route to the southeast would keep the flight out of the heavy weather, and that, "... you'll get clobbered if you go due east." After departure, the pilot requested a turn to the northeast to stay clear of weather. While in the climb, the flight was advised of a Weather Watch that covered the area of their flight. The CVR revealed that Continuous Ignition was not selected prior to encountering turbulence. About 23 minutes after takeoff, the airplane was climbing at about 30,800 feet msl when the pilot reported a dual engine failure due to a lightning strike. The CVR indicated one engine quit and the second quit about two seconds later. The copilot established a 170 kts descent airspeed for "best glide." The airplane was vectored near a level 5 thunderstorm during the emergency descent. Two air starts were attempted when the airplane's altitude was outside of the air start envelope. Two more air starts were attempted within the air start envelope but were unsuccessful. The minimum airspeed for an air restart is 160 kts and the maximum speed for air start is 358 kts. The CVR indicated that the pilots did not call for the airplane's checklist, and no challenge and response checklists were used during the emergency descent. The CVR indicated the pilots did not discuss load shedding any of the electrical components on the airplane. The CVR indicated the hydraulic system cycled twice during the emergency descent and the landing gear was lowered using the hydraulic system during descent. During the descent the pilots reported they had lost use of their navigation equipment. The airplane impacted the terrain located about 166 nautical miles from the departure airport on a bearing of 083 degrees. No preexisting engines or airframe anomalies were found.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper in-flight decision, the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, the pilot's failure to turn on the continuous ignition in turbulence, and the pilot's failure to follow the procedures for an airstart. Factors included the thunderstorms, the lightning strike, and the woods.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 at Batajnica AFB

Date & Time: Aug 14, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
71385
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
38 07
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft belly landed at Batajnica AFB and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.