Crash of a Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules in Jakarta: 135 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1991 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A-1324
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Jakarta - Bandung
MSN:
4927
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
122
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
135
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was returning to Bandung, carrying 122 airmen who had just took part to the annual Armed Forces Day ceremony at Jakarta-Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. One minute after takeoff, while in initial climb, the crew declared an emergency and reported engine problems. After being cleared to return for an emergency landing, the crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed on a building housing the Department of Labour. A passenger survived while 133 other occupants were killed as well as two security guards working in the building.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the engine n°3 caught fire during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft C99 Airliner in Birmingham: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1991 at 1812 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7217L
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Mobile - Birmingham
MSN:
U-226
YOM:
1984
Flight number:
LEX502
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Captain / Total flying hours:
4141
Captain / Total hours on type:
553.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1545
Copilot / Total hours on type:
170
Aircraft flight hours:
9127
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed into houses while on an ILS approach to runway 05 at the Birmingham Airport. The weather briefing data that the captain received in Mobile was accurate, advising him to expect thunderstorms in the Birmingham area. Birmingham atis information whiskey and xray, mentioning thunderstorms, was also accurate, and the flight crew heard them, as well as information from the approach controller that the airport was experiencing thunderstorm activity. The captain and a passenger survived while 13 other occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
The decision of the captain to initiate and continue an instrument approach into clearly identified thunderstorm activity, resulting in a loss of control of the airplane from which the flight crew was unable to recover and subsequent collision with obstacles and the terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in North Fort Myers

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1991 at 2047 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4940T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
North Fort Myers - North Fort Myers
MSN:
411-0140
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
52.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3358
Circumstances:
Pilot stated left engine lost power followed by the right engine. He initiated a left turn back to the airport but did not shutdown engines in accordance with emergency procedures. The acft yawed left and fell off on the left wing as if it had stalled. He regained partial control and aimed for a street. Acft hit roof of house while in right bank and then cartwheeled across the street. Left engine was found to have severe detonation damage and the turbocharger waste gate door was missing antivibration spring. The pin connecting the door and actuator was failed. Evidence indicated pin had failed prior to accident flight. Soot inside left wastegate indicated door had been fully closed for sometime. No evidence to indicate failure or malfunction of the right engine was found and right propeller showed damage indicative of rotation under power at ground impact.
Probable cause:
The pilot in commands failure to follow emergency procedures and his failure to maintain airspeed following loss of power in one engine resulting in an inadvertent stall and the inflight loss of control with subsequent inflight collision with an object and the terrain during an uncontrolled descent.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Merion: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1991 at 1210 LT
Registration:
N3645D
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Williamsport – Philadelphia
MSN:
61-0844-8162153
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1876
Aircraft flight hours:
2739
Circumstances:
Piper Aerostar 601, N3645D, was arriving as Bell 412 (helicopter), N78S, was departing. N3645D reported the aircraft's nose gear indicator light did not illuminate to verify the nose gear was down and locked. Crew of N78S heard the communication and saw N3645D as they crossed beneath N3645D's approach path. They reported N3546D's nose gear appeared to be extended. N3645D flew past the tower and tower personnel also reported the nose gear appeared to be extended. As N3645D was cleared to turn downwind, N78S offered to join for a closer look. Captain of N3645D accepted the offer. During joinup, N78S converged from left rear, then reported they would pass around the right side and look at everything as they went by. They reported that everything looked ok. Moments later, the two aircrafts collided and crashed to the ground. No mechanical reason was found that would have resulted in the accident. None of the pilots had training for flight in close proximity to another aircraft. There were indications the captain of N3645D lacked training in aircraft systems and that his employer (the operator) lacked surveillance by the FAA. The emergency procedure section of the Aerostar flight manual lacked info on emergency gear extension. All three occupants were killed as well as both pilots on board the helicopter. Four other people on the ground were injured, one seriously.
Probable cause:
The poor judgement by the captain of the airplane to permit the inflight inspection after he had determined to the best of his ability that the nose landing gear was fully extended, the poor judgment of the captain of the helicopter to conduct the inspection, and the failure of the flightcrew of the helicopter to maintain safe separation. Contributing to the accident was the incomplete training and checking that the flightcrew of N3645D received from lycoming air service and the faa principal operations inspector assigned to the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell CT-39G Sabreliner in Glenview: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1991 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
160057
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Glenview - Glenview
MSN:
306-108
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew (one instructor and two pilots under training) was completing a local training at Glenview Airport. On approach to runway 27, the instructor decided to initiate a go-around procedure then started an approach to runway 35. He cancelled his IFR flight plan when control was lost. The airplane crashed onto several houses located near the airport. All three crew members were killed while there were no casualties on ground.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Mattapan: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1990 at 0633 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N85HB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Chatham – Boston
MSN:
31-8120021
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2926
Captain / Total hours on type:
536.00
Circumstances:
The pilot noted an over torque condition in the left engine as the aircraft was on an ILS approach. He made a go-around and initiated another approach with the engine shut down. He was unable to maintain altitude and the aircraft began a decent that was not arrested. Subsequently, it crashed into 2 homes, approximately 6 miles from the airport. An exam of the left engine revealed the drive shaft from the fuel pump to the fuel control was sheared at the plastic coupling. Further exam revealed the twin bearings that supported the driveshaft had failed. Also, there was evidence the drive shaft had shifted and subsequently an overtorque condition resulted. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the left fuel control unit, and the adverse weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C-1 in Manila: 25 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1990 at 0623 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C314
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Manila - Surigao
MSN:
UC-46
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
LFT075
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Manila-Ninoy Aquino Airport, while climbing to an altitude of about 400 feet, the crew reported engine problems and elected to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the aircraft banked right, lost height and nosed down by an angle of 70° before crashing onto a house located in the district of Paranaque, about one km from the airport. The aircraft and the house were destroyed. All 21 occupants as well as four people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for undetermined reasons. It was reported that the crew failed to follow emergency procedures which was considered as a contributing factor. When the right engine failed, the aircraft was still in takeoff configuration with flaps and gear down.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Guatemala City: 27 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1990 at 1446 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N84BL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami
MSN:
43739
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Salvador to Miami with an intermediate stop in Guatemala City, carrying a load of clothes and vegetables. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when control was lost and the airplane crashed in a residential area located about 8 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. All three crew members as well as 24 people on the ground were killed and few others were seriously injured.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Boulder: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1990 at 1540 LT
Registration:
N2655V
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Granby - Denver
MSN:
421C-0702
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10102
Captain / Total hours on type:
528.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4117
Circumstances:
The airplane was observed flying erratically at a low altitude, then enter a left wing, nose low attitude, impacting the ground in a residential area. Autopsies on both occupants included findings of massive traumatic injuries sustained during a struggle. The passenger reportedly planned to take his life by jumping out of an airplane over the mountains of Colorado because he believed he had an inoperable brain tumor.
Probable cause:
A loss of airplane control as a result control interference by the passenger following a struggle between the pilot and the passenger.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Boca Raton

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1990 at 0009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N335GP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Wilmington - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
404-0009
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1487
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3286
Circumstances:
While level after descending, the right engine quit. Pilot feathered the propeller, advised ATC, and was diverting to alternate when left engine quit. He positioned the left engine boost pump to high and low with negative results, but did not feather the propeller. Position of boost pumps, when engines quit, was not determined. Aircraft landed on overpass that was under construction. There was fuel leakage after accident due to aircraft damage. Fuel quantity was sufficient. Examination of aircraft revealed right engine flexible duct from turbocharger to plenum chamber separated due to loose clamp. Hose was installed and club prop installed for each engine run. Both engines operated normally. Induction air hose was pulled during right engine run. Engine ran rough due to excessive rich mixture. No determination could be made for the reason of the left engine power loss.
Probable cause:
Loss of power in the right engine due to a disconnected duct between the turbocharger and the plenum chamber. The reason for the loss of power in the left engine was not determined.
Final Report: