Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Aleknagik: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 2002 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
General Communications Inc.
Registration:
N4478
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Dillingham - Lake Nerka
MSN:
1653
YOM:
1966
Location:
Aleknagik
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
26300
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8847
Circumstances:
The amphibious float-equipped airplane was returning to a lodge located on a remote lake after picking up supplies. The airplane departed from a paved runway on an airport. En route to the destination lake, the pilot noted the airplane would not attain its normal cruise airspeed and attitude. Believing the airplane was tail heavy, the pilot asked the aft cabin passenger to move forward. Upon touchdown on the lake, the airplane nosed down into the water. As the airplane nosed down, the supplies, which were not secured in the aft cabin, came forward, and pinned the pilot and front seat passenger against the instrument panel. The passenger in the aft cabin lifted as many of the supplies off the pilot and front seat passenger as he could, before he had to exit the sinking airplane. Both the pilot and front seat passenger exited the submerged airplane under their own power, but the pilot did not reach the surface. An autopsy of the pilot disclosed that he had drowned. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed the wheels had not been retracted after takeoff on the runway, consequently the airplane landed on the lake with the wheels fully extended. The front seat passenger said that the pilot did not use a checklist prior to landing.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to use a checklist to ensure the airplane was in the proper landing configuration, which precipitated an inadvertent water landing on amphibious floats with the wheels extended. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to secure the cargo in the aft cabin.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Kasshabog Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 2002 at 1308 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Kakabeka Air Service
Registration:
C-GUNE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Holinshead Lake - Kasshabog Lake
MSN:
1403
YOM:
1959
Location:
Kasshabog Lake
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was en route from Holinshead Lake to Kasshabog Lake when the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions. As the flight progressed, the ceiling became increasingly lower until it was nearly at tree top level. Shortly thereafter, the pilot located a cabin at the destination outpost camp. On final approach to the camp, the aircraft struck the water while in a turn, tearing off one float and it eventually sank. The pilot and four passengers exited the aircraft and attempted to swim ashore. While swimming, one of the passengers went missing and was not located. Ontario Provincial Police divers were dispatched to search for the missing passenger. Three people were slightly injured and one seriously.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo Porter off Forte dei Marmi: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 2002 at 1550 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Europlane
Registration:
F-GLTP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Massa - Massa
MSN:
691
YOM:
1969
Location:
Forte dei Marmi
Tuscany
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1857
Captain / Total hours on type:
761.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8888
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Massa-Cinquale Aerodrome with 10 skydivers and one pilot on board. Once the altitude of 13,000 feet was reached, all 10 skydivers jumped. During the descent, the aircraft became unstable, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea about 50 metres off Forte dei Marmi. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred due to a loss of control of the aircraft following the separation of the right wing, due to the structural failure produced at the sub-wing attack of the bracing section. In particular, in the light of what has been highlighted, it is believed that the accident was caused by a fatigue damage mechanism which, developed without being detected, significantly reducing the residual section of the right sub-alar attack of the trunk. This suddenly led to the structural failure of the right wing and the consequent loss of control of the aircraft that crashed in the sea.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III off Westerland

Date & Time: Jun 12, 2002 at 1113 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III
Operator:
Registration:
D-IJJJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hamburg - Westerland
MSN:
421C-1012
YOM:
1980
Location:
Westerland-Sylt
Schleswig-Holstein
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
370
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2883
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from Hamburg to Westerland. At a distance of 30 km southeast from Westerland-Sylt Airport, at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the pilot was cleared for an approach to runway 24. Few seconds later, both engines lost power. The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared for a straight-in approach to runway 33. Due to the situation, the pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft two km offshore. Rescue teams arrived on site about 45 minutes later and the pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank. The pilot added 250 litres of fuel at Hamburg Airport and a total of about 400 litres were found in all tanks after the wreckage was recovered, dismissing the possibility of a fuel exhaustion. Traces of corrosion were found on several engine parts.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B off Dominica: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 2002 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Bevins Air Service
Registration:
N78336
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
500-1187-94
YOM:
1962
Location:
Marigot-Douglas-Charles (ex Melville Hall)
All Dominica
Country:
Dominica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On May 31, 2002, about 1315 Atlantic standard time, an Aero Commander 500-B, N78336, registered to Bevins Air Service Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 135 air-taxi passenger/cargo flight ditched into the Atlantic Ocean, near Roseau, Dominica. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane has not been located and is presumed to be destroyed. The commercial pilot has not been located and is presumed to be fatally injured. The deceased passenger was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean on June 4, 2002. The flight originated from Melville Hall Airport, Roseau, Dominica, at 1240. According to Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS) the pilot informed Guadeloupe Air Traffic Control that the airplane was experiencing engine problems and that he was returning to Dominica. The airplane was last observed on radar about six miles north of Dominica.

Crash of a Boeing 747-209B off Magong: 225 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 2002 at 1529 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 747-200
Operator:
Registration:
B-18255
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Taipei - Hong Kong
MSN:
21843
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
CI1611
Location:
Magong
Penghu County (澎湖縣)
Country:
Taiwan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
19
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
206
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
225
Captain / Total flying hours:
10148
Captain / Total hours on type:
4732.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10173
Copilot / Total hours on type:
5831
Aircraft flight hours:
64810
Aircraft flight cycles:
21398
Circumstances:
On May 25, 2002, China Airlines (CAL) CI611, a Boeing 747-200, Republic of China (ROC) registration B-18255, was a regularly scheduled flight from Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (CKS), Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC to Chek Lap Kok International Airport, Hong Kong. Flight CI611 was operating in accordance with ROC Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) regulations. The captain (Crew Member-1, CM-1) reported for duty at 1305 , at the CAL CKS Airport Dispatch Office and was briefed by the duty dispatcher for about 20 minutes, including Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the TPE Flight Information Region (FIR). The first officer (Crew Member-2, CM-2) and flight engineer (Crew Member-3, CM-3) reported for duty at CAL Reporting Center, Taipei, and arrived at CKS Airport about 1330. The aircraft was prepared for departure with two pilots, one flight engineer, 16 cabin crew members, and 206 passengers aboard. The crew of CI611 requested taxi clearance at 1457:06. At 1507:10, the flight was cleared for takeoff on Runway 06 at CKS. The takeoff and initial climb were normal. The flight contacted Taipei Approach at 1508:53, and at 1510:34, Taipei Approach instructed CI611 to fly direct to CHALI. At 1512:12, CM-3 contacted China Airlines Operations with the time off-blocks, time airborne, and estimated time of arrival at Chek Lap Kok airport. At 1516:24, the Taipei Area Control Center controller instructed CI611 to continue its climb to flight level 350, and to maintain that altitude while flying from CHALI direct to KADLO4. The acknowledgment of this transmission, at 1516:31, was the last radio transmission received from the aircraft. Radar contact with CI611 was lost by Taipei Area Control at 1528:03. An immediate search and rescue operation was initiated. At 1800, floating wreckage was sighted on the sea in the area 23 nautical miles northeast of Makung, Penghu Islands. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 225 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Findings related to probable causes:
1. Based on the recordings of CVR and FDR, radar data, the dado panel open-close positions, the wreckage distribution, and the wreckage examinations, the in-flight breakup of CI611, as it approached its cruising altitude, was highly likely due to the structural failure in the aft lower lobe section of the fuselage.
2. In February 7 1980, the accident aircraft suffered a tail strike occurrence in Hong Kong. The aircraft was ferried back to Taiwan on the same day un-pressurized and a temporary repair was conducted the day after. A permanent repair was conducted on May 23 through 26, 1980.
3. The permanent repair of the tail strike was not accomplished in accordance with the Boeing SRM, in that the area of damaged skin in Section 46 was not removed (trimmed) and the repair doubler did not extend sufficiently beyond the entire damaged area to restore the structural strength.
4. Evidence of fatigue damage was found in the lower aft fuselage centered about STA 2100, between stringers S-48L and S-49L, under the repair doubler near its edge and outside the outer row of securing rivets. Multiple Site Damage (MSD), including a 15.1-inch through thickness main fatigue crack and some small fatigue cracks were confirmed. The 15.1-inch crack and most of the MSD cracks initiated from the scratching damage associated with the 1980 tail strike incident.
5. Residual strength analysis indicated that the main fatigue crack in combination with the Multiple Site Damage (MSD) were of sufficient magnitude and distribution to facilitate the local linking of the fatigue cracks so as to produce a continuous crack within a two-bay region (40 inches). Analysis further indicated that during the application of normal operational loads the residual strength of the fuselage would be compromised with a continuous crack of 58 inches or longer length. Although the ASC could not determine the length of cracking prior to the accident flight, the ASC believes that the extent of hoop-wise fretting marks found on the doubler, and the regularly spaced marks and deformed cladding found on the fracture surface suggest that a continuous crack of at least 71 inches in length, a crack length considered long enough to cause structural separation of the fuselage, was present before the in-flight breakup of the aircraft.
6. Maintenance inspection of B-18255 did not detect the ineffective 1980 structural repair and the fatigue cracks that were developing under the repair doubler. However, the time that the fatigue cracks propagated through the skin thickness could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-197D in Laredo

Date & Time: May 21, 2002 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Aero JBR
Registration:
XB-JBR
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Laredo - Laredo
MSN:
3261
YOM:
1940
Location:
Laredo
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local post maintenance test flight at Laredo Airport. After several touch-and-goes, the aircraft was in initial climb when the left engine lost power, followed shortly later by the right engine. The crew reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft in the Casa Blanca Lake, about 50 feet from the shore. All three crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft sank in six feet of water.

Crash of a Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner off Pensacola: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 2002 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
165525
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pensacola - Pensacola
MSN:
282-100
YOM:
1972
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Two Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner operated by the US Navy registered 165522 and 165525 departed Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field for a training mission. In unknown circumstances, while cruising over the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km offshore, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. All seven crew members on board both aircraft were killed. Debris were found about 64 km offshore, distant 10 km from each other.

Crash of a Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner off Pensacola: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 2002 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
165522
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pensacola - Pensacola
MSN:
282-28
YOM:
1965
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Two Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner operated by the US Navy registered 165522 and 165525 departed Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field for a training mission. In unknown circumstances, while cruising over the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km offshore, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. All seven crew members on board both aircraft were killed. Debris were found about 64 km offshore, distant 10 km from each other.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 off Dalian: 112 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 2002 at 2132 LT
Type of aircraft:
McDonnell Douglas MD-82
Operator:
Registration:
B-2138
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Beijing - Dalian
MSN:
49522
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
CJ6136
Location:
Dalian
Liaoning
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
103
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
112
Aircraft flight hours:
26000
Aircraft flight cycles:
16000
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Beijing, the crew started the descent to Dalian Airport. While flying over the east side of the Korean Gulf, the crew contacted ATC and declared an emergency, reporting fire on board and smoke spreading in the cabin. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea about 20 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 112 occupants were killed. The CVR was found on May 13 and FDR on May 18.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the in-flight fire was the consequence of an act of sabotage. A passenger contracted seven life insurances from different companies for a total amount of 170,000 US$ and was able to board at Beijing-Capital Airport with a bottle filled with gasoline that he ignited during flight.
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