Crash of a Boeing 707-366C in Istanbul

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1996 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SU-AVX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cairo - Istanbul
MSN:
20760
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
MS837
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
120
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Istanbul-Atatürk Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with rain falls. The visibility was estimated to be 8 km but on short final, the crew lost visual contact with the runway for few seconds while the aircraft encountered local strong showers. After touchdown on a wet runway 24, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. It lost its undercarriage, went through a fence, crossed a road and collided with various obstacles before coming to rest, broken in two. All 131 occupants were evacuated, among them 19 passengers were slightly injured.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76TD in Belgrade: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1996 at 0316 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-76513
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Yekaterinburg - Belgrade - Valetta
MSN:
00834 14451
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Yekaterinburg to Africa via Belgrade and Luqa, Malta, carrying two passengers, 10 crew members and a load of aircraft tires and squibs. Following a night takeoff from Belgrade-Surčin Airport, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and reported the loss of all electrical power. Following a holding pattern for about 2,5 hours, the crew attempted to land but the visibility was low due to poor weather conditions. On short final, without any headlights, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 800 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. All 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that prior to takeoff from Belgrade-Surčin Airport, while preparing the flight, the crew forgot to switch on the VU-6A AC/DC converter after start-up of the engines, causing the 27 volts electrical system to be constantly fed from the batteries. When batteries ran flat, all the avionic and boosters were left without power.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander near Panama City

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1996 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HP-839KN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
44
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Panama City Airport. There were no casualties. The accident occurred somewhere in August 1996 (exact date unknown).

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Pottstown

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1996 at 0708 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N163SA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pottstown - Philadelphia
MSN:
31-7920025
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4993
Circumstances:
During an attempted takeoff, the airplane collided with a taxiway sign, a fence, a light pole and came to rest between two buildings. According to the pilot in command (seated in the right seat), a preflight and run-up inspection was completed successfully. He stated that a pilot rated passenger (in the left front seat) was following along with a placard checklist. He stated that the airplane was accelerated for takeoff on runway 7, and at 500 feet down the 2700 foot long runway with the airspeed at redline, rotation was initiated and the airplane veered to the right. He stated that shortly thereafter the right engine surged and he noted the matched power levers, but he did not record the engine power instruments. A passenger (seated in a forward facing seat behind the pilot in command) reported that the pilot rated passenger's hand was on the throttle(yellow-knobbed handles) at the time of the accident The reported visibility was 1/8 mile in fog. The prescribed takeoff minimums for that airport is 400 feet and 1 mile visibility. Post accident examination of the engines and their systems revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff/ground run resulting in inflight collision with a fence. Related factors were the pilot's poor planning/decision making, and the fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Northolt

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1996 at 0957 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EC-CKR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Palma de Mallorca - Northolt
MSN:
25-184
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
MAQ123
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5200
Captain / Total hours on type:
1900.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5340
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1700
Aircraft flight hours:
4396
Circumstances:
Learjet 25B EC-CKR arrived near Northolt following a flight from Palma de Mallorca. Due to the presence of priority traffic which was due to depart Northolt at that time, the flight was extended down wind to a distance of 10 nm before the crew received vectors and descent instructions for the final approach to runway 25. At 3.5nm short of the runway the pilot was asked to confirm that his landing gear was down and locked as is normal procedure at Northolt. After some rephrasing of this question, the landing gear was confirmed down, however during this exchange the aircraft was seen to deviate above the glidepath. At 2.5 nm, landing clearance was confirmed and the aircraft was advised of the surface wind and the fact that there was a 4 kt tailwind. The aircraft was also advised that it was above the glide path. At the decision altitude which was at approximately half a mile from the runway the aircraft was still above the glidepath although seen to be correcting to it. On arrival at the runway the aircraft was observed to land some distance beyond the normal touchdown point. Towards the end of the landing roll it veered to the right and then swerved to the left and overran the end of the runway. It collided with three lighting stanchions and continued in a south-westerly direction towards the airfield boundary which is marked by a high chain-link fence. After bursting through the boundary fence the aircraft ran onto the A40 trunk road and was almost immediately in collision with a Ford Transit van on the east bound carriageway, and seriously injuring its driver. The aircraft came to rest in the left hand lane of the road with the van embedded in the right side of the fuselage immediately forward of the right wing.
Probable cause:
The following causal factors were identified:
(1) The commander landed the aircraft at a speed of 158 (+/- 10 kt) and at a point on the runway such that there was approximately 3,125 feet (952 metres) of landing run remaining;
(2) The commander did not deploy the spoilers after touchdown;
(3) The first officer did not observe that the spoilers had not been deployed after touchdown;
(4) At a speed of 158 (+/- 10 kt) with spoilers retracted and given the aircraft weight and atmospheric conditions prevailing, there was insufficient landing distance remaining from the point of touchdown within which to bring the aircraft to a standstill;
(5) The commander allowed himself to become overloaded during the approach and landing. The safeguards derived from a two crew operation were diminished by the first officer’s lack of involvement with the final approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 10 in Offenburg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1996 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-CBUR
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Munich - Offenburg
MSN:
98
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
5797
Circumstances:
On approach to Offenburg Airport runway 02, the crew encountered limited visibility due to low clouds. Under VFR mode in IMC conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a hilly terrain located about 7,2 km southeast of runway 02 threshold, near Friesenheim. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions until the aircraft impacted terrain.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A in Luzamba

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CJR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
45373
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing, the four engine aircraft veered off runway and came to rest in the bush. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Gulfstream GIII in Vágar: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1996 at 1345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-330
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Keflavik – Vágar
MSN:
330
YOM:
1981
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
On final approach to Vágar Airport runway 12, the crew encountered extreme atmospheric turbulences. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed on the slope of a mountain located 2 km short of runway. All nine occupants were killed, among them Admiral Hans Jørgen Garde, Chief of the Danish Army, and his wife Anna garde. At the time of the accident, the visibility was good but severe turbulences were present in the approach path.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Benton Harbor

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1996 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8919G
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kalamazoo - Benton Harbor
MSN:
404-0098
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3250
Captain / Total hours on type:
53.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10624
Circumstances:
The pilot said that during the landing approach, the flight visibility was inadequate for landing, and he aborted the landing. Witnesses observed the airplane touchdown long and fast, then it
entered fog that shrouded the runway. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees, then impacted on marshland about 70 feet below the runway elevation. No mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane or engines that would prevent flight. On the day before the accident, the pilot's duty day began at 0500. He had a 9-hour rest period (during the day) that did not involve any sleep. The pilot said that after work on the day before the accident, he arrived home about 2300. His wife said he awoke about 0230 on the accident date, then he returned to bed and arose between 0430 and 0500, departing for work about 0530. During his regular duty day rest period, the pilot would drive a total of 4 hours to and from his home each day. The pilot said he would generally get to bed about 2300 to 2330, arising about 0430 each work day. Also, he said he needed between 6 and 8 hours of sleep at night.
Probable cause:
The pilot's delay in initiating a go-around after not attaining the proper touchdown point during the landing, and his failure to remain clear of obstructions (trees) during the go-around. Factors relating to the accident were the adverse weather condition (fog and low ceiling), pilot fatigue, and the proximity of trees to the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou in New Stuyahok

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1996 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N800NC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anchorage - New Stuyahok
MSN:
98
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15670
Captain / Total hours on type:
850.00
Aircraft flight hours:
14638
Circumstances:
The airplane's nose gear collapsed during a landing roll on a gravel airstrip. Subsequent examination of the nose gear locking mechanism disclosed a failed hydraulic drag strut locking actuator.
Probable cause:
The collapse of the nose gear precipitated by the failure of the hydraulic nose gear drag strut locking actuator.
Final Report: