Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Kahemba: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1996
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CXK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kahemba - Kikwit
MSN:
74
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots and four passengers were killed while 15 other occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Ilaga

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1996 at 1215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PK-YPF
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
210
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Ilaga Airport was completed in poor weather conditions due to heavy rain falls. After landing on a wet runway surface, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest down an embankment. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 Marquise in Chillicothe

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1996 at 0835 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N618BB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chillicothe - Columbus
MSN:
533
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5400
Captain / Total hours on type:
2150.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6644
Circumstances:
The pilot said that after climbing about 500 feet after takeoff, at 120 knots with the gear retracted, the left engine lost power. He feathered the propeller, lowered the nose to the horizon, and began a shallow left turn back to the airport. He left the flaps at 20° and noted a descent of 200 feet to 300 feet per minute in the turn. After clearing trees, the pilot extended the landing gear, banked the aircraft to the right to align it with the runway and lowered flaps to 40°. After touchdown, he applied single engine reversing. The aircraft went off right side of runway and into a ditch, collapsing the right main and nose gear. Examination of the engine revealed the torque sensor housing had failed, resulting in loss of drive to the fuel pump. Metallurgical exam of the housing arm of the torque sensor revealed it had failed from fatigue. On 9/14/79, a service bulletin (SB) was issued for replacement of the torque sensor housing with an improved housing. The manufacturer overhauled the engine on 12/1979, but SB was not complied with. SB indicated a history of resonant vibration causing cracks in the housing arm of original torque sensor and gear assemblies, and that the housing should be replaced, no later than during next part exposure. Investigation revealed pilot did not comply with engine failure procedures and airspeeds. Flight manual cautioned not to use 40° of flaps during single engine landings.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to follow the published emergency procedures after loss of power in the left engine. Factors relating to the accident were: fatigue failure of the left torque sensor and gear assembly, which resulted in the loss of engine power, failure of the manufacturer to comply with the respective service bulletin, and the pilot's improper use of the flaps and reverse (single-engine) thrust.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 10 in Madrid

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1996 at 1946 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-GJMA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chailley - Madrid
MSN:
116
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12300
Captain / Total hours on type:
350.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4950
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1950
Aircraft flight hours:
6917
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful charter flight from Chailley, the aircraft landed on runway 33 at 1942LT with two passengers and two pilots on board. Just behind the Falcon 10 landed on same runway 33 a Boeing 727-223 registered EI-HCD and operated by Hunting Cargo Airlines. With four people on board, the B727 completed a cargo flight from Porto. Both aircraft vacated the runway at taxiway K-1 but the Falcon 10 used a taxiway parallel to the one which EI-HCD was using while heading for the apron. At the intersection of taxiways A-8 and M-8 both aircraft collided. While the B727 suffered minor damages, the Falcon 10 was damaged beyond repair and its four occupants escaped uninjured, among them the French actor Gérard Depardieu.
Probable cause:
As a result of the aircraft F-GJMA rolling onto the outer taxiway and lost separation with EI-HCD for not having followed the initial instructions from the control tower, and that the latter was moving too fast on Taxiway A, from a certain point the two aircraft started rolling almost in parallel. When the ground controller realized the situation it was too late to avoid the collision between the two aircraft in the incorporation of the outer taxiway and Taxiway A.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Ngau

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
DQ-FIF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Suva - Ngau
MSN:
417
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach and landing to Ngau Airport were completed in poor weather conditions with fog and rain falls. After landing on a wet grassy runway, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance (the runway is 760 metres long). It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen metres further. All five occupants escaped injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who completed the landing at an excessive speed on a wet and short grassy runway.

Crash of a Partenavia P.68B Victor in Schönhagen: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
D-GISA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
105
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Schönhagen Airport, the twin engine aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area short of runway. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider in Bahía Tortugas: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1996 at 0719 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-SNB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bahía Tortugas - Ensenada
MSN:
20126
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bahía Tortugas to Ensenada, carrying a load of 8 tons of lobsters. At takeoff, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew may have attempted to takeoff with the right engine inoperative. Also, it appears that the total weight of the aircraft was above MTOW.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 in Pittsburgh

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1996 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N10DA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Clarksburg - Pittsburgh
MSN:
1873
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
SBX1215
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:
1100.00
Aircraft flight hours:
18553
Circumstances:
The pilot had flown this route in make and model airplane for nearly 4 years. He calculated 900 pounds of fuel were required for the flight, and saw 956 pounds on the fuel totalizer. The pilot was told by the ground controller of weather delays to his destination that ranged up to 2.5 hours. En route he was issued holding instructions with an EFC of 50 minutes later. After released from holding, 52 minutes after takeoff, the pilot was told that he was being vectored for a 35 mile final approach. The pilot then told the controller that he was fuel critical and the controller vectored him ahead of other airplanes. Ten minutes later, 84 minutes after takeoff, the controller asked his fuel status, and the pilot responded 'pretty low, seems like I'm losing oil pressure.' The pilot then advised the controller, 85 minutes after takeoff, that he shut down the right engine. He then declared an emergency and advised that he was not going to make the airport. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel tanks were intact, the fuel caps were secured, and the amount of fuel recovered from both tanks was 1.5 gallons, which was less than the specified unusable quantity. Company records showed that similar flights took about 48 minutes, and the airplane's average fuel flow was 580 pounds per hour.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue to his destination when known en route delays were encountered which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Lakeland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1996 at 2010 LT
Registration:
N262X
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lakeland - Winter Haven
MSN:
680-745-38
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6893
Captain / Total hours on type:
22.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5284
Circumstances:
After takeoff, the pilot transmitted to ATC controllers that he had lost power in an engine. He made a steep turn to the left back toward the airport, then a right turn toward the runway. The aircraft's nose dropped in the right turn, and the aircraft crashed nose first on a taxiway. Post crash examination of the aircraft structure and flight control systems revealed no preimpact failure or malfunction. The left propeller was found in the feathered position, and the right propeller was found in a high blade angle. The right propeller had damage consistent with the engine operating. Teardown examination of the engines and propellers showed no findings that would have resulted in engine or propeller malfunction or failure. At the time the aircraft was purchased by the pilot in March 1996, he had not flown for about 10 years. Since purchasing the aircraft, he had logged 2.5 hours of transition/checkout in the airplane and had flown it for a total of about 22 hours, mostly on 'sightseeing flights.'
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to maintain minimum control speed, while returning to the airport for a precautionary landing, following a reported loss of power in one engine, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and an uncontrolled collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: loss of power in the left engine for undetermined reason(s), and the pilot's apparent lack of familiarity with single engine operation in the make and model of aircraft.
Final Report:

Ground fire of a Douglas DC-10-10CF in Newburgh

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1996 at 0554 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N68055
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Memphis - Boston
MSN:
47809
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
FDX1406
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12344
Captain / Total hours on type:
2504.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6535
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1101
Aircraft flight hours:
38271
Aircraft flight cycles:
17818
Circumstances:
The airplane was at FL 330 when the flightcrew determined that there was smoke in the cabin cargo compartment. An emergency was declared and the flight diverted to Newburgh/Stewart International Airport and landed. The airplane was destroyed by fire after landing. The fire had burned for about 4 hours after after smoke was first detected. Investigation revealed that the deepest and most severe heat and fire damage occurred in and around container 06R, which contained a DNA synthesizer containing flammable liquids. More of 06R's structure was consumed than of any other container, and it was the only container that exhibited severe floor damage. Further, 06R was the only container to exhibit heat damage on its bottom surface, and the area below container 06R showed the most extensive evidence of scorching of the composite flooring material. However, there was insufficient reliable evidence to reach a conclusion as to where the fire originated. The presence of flammable chemicals in the DNA synthesizer was wholly unintended and unknown to the preparer of the package and shipper. The captain did not adequately manage his crew resources when he failed to call for checklists or to monitor and facilitate the accomplishment of required checklist items. The Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations do not adequately address the need for hazardous materials information on file at a carrier to be quickly retrievable in a format useful to emergency responders.
Probable cause:
An in-flight cargo fire of undetermined origin.
Final Report: