Crash of an Embraer EMB-820C Navajo in Jacobina: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1997 at 1245 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ENI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Jacobina - Salvador
MSN:
820-068
YOM:
1978
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
133
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Jacobina Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The crew initiated a sharp turn to the left when the aircraft lost height, struck an electric pole and crashed near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Poor crew training,
- Pool fuel consumption calculation on part of the crew,
- Wrong crew's decision to fly on one engine,
- Inappropriate of aircraft controls,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Poor flight planning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402C in Rawlins

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1997 at 2240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1233P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rawlins – Riverton
MSN:
402C-0804
YOM:
1984
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7674
Circumstances:
During the initial climb after takeoff, while executing a dark-night departure, the pilot failed to maintain clearance from rising terrain about one and one-quarter mile off the end of the runway. Operator records indicated that the pilot had flown out of this airport in the past, and that the aircraft was approximately 600 pounds below maximum certificated gross weight at the time of departure. A teardown inspection of both engines revealed no pre-impact anomalies, and visual and teardown inspections of the propellers showed damage signatures consistent with ground contact in a flat pitch under significant power.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the initial climb after a night takeoff. Factors include a dark night and rising terrain off the departure end of the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Saskatoon

Date & Time: May 29, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FOCS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
54
YOM:
1949
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Saskatoon, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft nosed down and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Bought by Athabaska Airways four days prior to the accident, the aircraft was checked by the company's mechanics. It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of an issue with the elevator control cables that were not installed in a properly manner by the people in charge of the maintenance.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Luanda

Date & Time: May 28, 1997
Operator:
Registration:
D2-ECL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda – Lucapa – Dundo – Lucapa – Luanda
MSN:
BB-44
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Luanda-4 de Fevereiro Airport, following an uneventful flight from Lucapa, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft lost speed then stalled and crashed 510 metres short of runway threshold. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. As no fuel was available at Lucapa and Dundo Airport, the crew prepared the tour with a fuel autonomy of six hours, which should be a minimum as the flight calculation for the all tour was five hours and 20 minutes. It was determined that in-flight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was forced to modify his route, increasing flight time and fuel consumption.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Casa-Nurtanio CN-235 (IPTN) at Serang-Gorda AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1997
Registration:
PK-XNT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Serang-Gorda - Serang-Gorda
MSN:
N018
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was dispatched at Serang-Gorda AFB to test the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) with six crew members. While approaching the terrain at an altitude of 200 metres, the crew elected to drop the 4 tons load when the parachute harness detached, causing the load to be stuck on the cargo door. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed, killing all six occupants.

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Great Falls

Date & Time: May 16, 1997 at 1314 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1AH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Great Falls - Dallas
MSN:
35-398
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8700
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8019
Circumstances:
The captain reported: 'Shortly after V1...there was a loss of power to the left engine....' (FAR Part 1 defines V1 as takeoff decision speed.) However, the first officer, who was the pilot flying, stated the captain retarded power on the left engine as a training exercise. The first officer stated there was no preflight discussion of emergency procedure practice. The airplane became airborne about 3,500 feet down the runway; the crew subsequently lost control of the aircraft, and it crashed to the left of the runway, and a fire erupted. The crew escaped with minor injuries. A teardown of the left engine was performed under FAA supervision at the engine manufacturer's facilities; the engine manufacturer reported that damage found during the teardown 'was indicative of engine rotation and operation at the time of impact....' Both airspeed indicator bugs were found set 9 to 11 knots below the V1 speed on the takeoff and landing data (TOLD) card. No evidence of an aircraft or engine malfunction, to include inflight fire, was found at the accident site.
Probable cause:
The captain's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and the subsequent improper response to a simulated loss of engine power, resulting in liftoff at an airspeed below that for which sustained flight was possible.
Final Report:

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Gyandzha: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1997 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4K-87504
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gyandzha - Gyandzha
MSN:
9 51 06 40
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Gyandzha Airport and already performed three full stops and one touch-and-go manoeuvre. After completing a circuit, the crew was attempting a new approach when the aircraft nosed down to an angle of 70° and crashed 5,160 metres short of runway and 93 metres to the left of its extended centerline. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all six crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a group of Azeri soldiers returning along the highway from the range to the barracks wanted to have fun and were shooting on road signs. When they saw the airplane, they shot towards it and two bullets punched oxygen bottles which exploded, causing a fire and intoxicating the pilots who lost control of the airplane.

Crash of a Saab 340B in Porto

Date & Time: May 14, 1997 at 1628 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
EC-GFM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Madrid - Porto
MSN:
315
YOM:
1992
Flight number:
RGN1335
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3225
Captain / Total hours on type:
1292.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1985
Copilot / Total hours on type:
904
Aircraft flight hours:
7226
Aircraft flight cycles:
7216
Circumstances:
Because of construction works on runway 35, the threshold at Porto was displaced by 760 metres. This was published in a Notam but during the flight preparation at Madrid-Barajas Airport, the crew was not informed about this notice. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared to descent and received instructions for a landing on runway 35 but no information about the displaced threshold. On final approach, the controller realized that the aircraft was approaching too low and instructed the crew to 'overshoot please'. The crew did not react to this instruction and continued the approach when the aircraft undershot the displaced threshold and landed in the construction area. It struck several trenches which caused the undercarriage to be torn off and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest on the runway. All 37 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- While preparing the flight in Madrid, the crew have not been informed about the Notam published by the Porto Airport Authority reporting that the runway 35 threshold has been temporary displaced of 760 metres due to construction works,
- The existence of two markings on the runway 35 threshold, which may have confused the crew,
- Lack of concentration of the crew during the flight,
- The controller did not effectively alert the crew about work in progress,
- The controller, trying to alert the crew, did not use a correct phraseology.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B200C Super King Air in Steynsburg

Date & Time: May 10, 1997 at 1700 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-LNV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Steynsburg - Pretoria
MSN:
BL-71
YOM:
1983
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the twin engine aircraft struck a dip, causing a propeller to struck the ground and the aircraft to lose power and speed. Unable to take off, the aircraft veered off runway to the left, went through three fences, crossed a dirt road and came to rest in an open field. All seven occupants were rescued, among them one was slightly injured. The aircraft was dispatched in Steynsburg to enable five forensic experts and detectives to conduct an investigation of suspected arson, as the Grand Hotel at the town was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Boeing 737-31B in Shenzhen: 35 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1997 at 2132 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
B-2925
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chongqing - Shenzhen
MSN:
27288
YOM:
1994
Flight number:
CZ3456
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
65
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Circumstances:
The approach to Shenzhen-Huangtian Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and turbulences. During the last segment, the aircraft was unstable but the crew continued the descent when the aircraft landed hard. The aircraft bounced and suffered undercarriage damages. Despite the situation, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure and increased engine power. During the second attempt to land, the crew encountered control difficulties as the aircraft suffered damages from the first missed landing. Also, weather conditions were poor so the aircraft was unstable on approach. After landing at an excessive speed, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a soft ground, broken in three and bursting into flames. Two crew members and 33 passengers were killed while 39 other people were injured.