Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Itapaci

Date & Time: Sep 6, 2018 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-LJN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goiânia – Ceres
MSN:
B-121
YOM:
1972
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Goiânia-Santa Genoveva Airport at 0810LT on a charter flight to Ceres, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. En route, it was decided to change the itinerary and to land in Itapaci where there was no suitable terrain for landing. On final approach, the aircraft impacted ground, lost its undercarriage and veered to the right. It collided with a fence and made a 180 turn before coming to rest. All 10 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. On board was the candidate for governor of the state of Goiás and his campaign team.
Probable cause:
The pilot intentionally changed his routing for Itapaci where the landing zone was not approved for flight operations. During the landing, the plane struck the ground before the planned zone and crashed. The pilot violated the rules established by the authority.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90GTi King Air in Vila Rica

Date & Time: Sep 5, 2018 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PR-GVJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte – Confresa
MSN:
LJ-2145
YOM:
2017
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Belo Horizonte-Pampulha-Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport at 0820LT on a private flight to Confresa, carrying five passenger and one pilot. While descending to Confresa, the pilot decided to fly directly to the farm of the owner (Fazenda Angola) located in Vila Rica, about 80 km northeast of Confresa Airport. On final approach, the aircraft was too low when it struck the surface of a lake then its bank. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft crash landed and came to rest on its belly. There was no fire. All six occupants were injured, one seriously. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot descended too low on approach to an umprepared terrain.
Contributing Factors:
- Attitude,
- Command application,
- Pilot judgment,
- Decision making process,
- Lack of adherence to regulations established by the authority of Brazilian civil aviation.
Final Report:

Cras of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter in Mojo: 18 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 2018 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ET-AIU
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dire Dawa – Debre Zeit
MSN:
822
YOM:
1985
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Dire Dawa in the morning on a flight to Harar Meda Airbase located in Debre Zeit, carrying 15 Army officers and three civilians on behalf of the Ethiopian Army. While descending to Harar Meda, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located in Mojo, some 17 km southeast of the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 18 occupants were killed, among them two children. Operated on behalf of the Ethiopian Army with dual registration ET-AIU/808.

Crash of a De Havilland Dash-8-400 on Ketron Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 2018 at 2043 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N449QX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4410
YOM:
2012
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On August 10, 2018, about 2043 Pacific daylight time, a De Havilland DHC-8-402, N449QX, was destroyed when it impacted trees on Ketron Island, near Steilacoom, WA. The noncertificated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Horizon Air Industries, Inc,. and was being operated by the noncertificated pilot as an unauthorized flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the event, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington, about 1932. Horizon Air personnel reported that the noncertificated pilot was employed as a ground service agent and had access to the airplanes on the ramp. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The NTSB provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and any material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI. The NTSB does not plan to issue an investigative report or open a public docket.
Probable cause:
The NTSB did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue an investigative report or open a public docket. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Shijiazhuang Yunsunji Y-5B near Tongjiang

Date & Time: Aug 3, 2018 at 0933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
B-50AA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1051
YOM:
2015
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
378
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an agricultural mission in an area located about 32 km northeast of Tongjiang. After takeoff, the engine failed and the airplane crash landed in a paddy field. Both crew members escaped uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Tura

Date & Time: Jul 30, 2018 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-40649
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1G213-56
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9689
Captain / Total hours on type:
9689.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
260
Copilot / Total hours on type:
230
Aircraft flight hours:
4447
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed a remote area located 250 km west of Tura, carrying five passengers and two pilots who were returning from a fishing camp. Shortly after takeoff, at a height of one meter, the engine started to vibrate and the crew noticed a 'pop' noise. The airplane descended and the crew positioned the flaps to 40°. The aircraft passed over the river then impacted the opposite bank and crashed. All seven occupants evacuated safely, except the pilot who was slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the exhaust manifold tube due to fatigue cracks, which caused a loss of engine power after hot gases went through the carburetor that was open at 30%.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jul 18, 2018 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9878R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Willow Lake - FBI Lake
MSN:
1135
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2685
Captain / Total hours on type:
345.00
Aircraft flight hours:
22605
Circumstances:
The pilot was conducting an on-demand air taxi flight in a float-equipped airplane from a seaplane base on a public lake to a remote lakeside home, with a passenger and her young son. The passenger brought cargo to transport as well, including an unexpected 800 lbs of mortar bags. Witnesses who labored to push the airplane out after loading reported that the airplane appeared very aft heavy and the pilot said he would offload "cement blocks" if he could not take off. A review of witness videos revealed that the pilot attempted one takeoff using only 3/4 of the available waterway, then step taxied around the lake and performed a step-taxi takeoff, again not using the full length of the lake. The airplane eventually lifted off, and barely climbed over trees on the south end of the lake, before descending and impacting terrain. A home surveillance video that captured the airplane seconds before the crash revealed that 3 seconds before ground impact, the estimated altitude of the airplane was 115 ft above ground level (agl) and the groundspeed was about 64 miles per hour (mph), which was low and much slower than normal climb speed (80 mph). As the airplane banked to the left to turn on course, it rolled through 90° likely experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Analysis of the engine rpm sound revealed that the engine was operating near maximum continuous power up until impact, and a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A calculation performed by investigators postaccident revealed the airplane's estimated gross weight at the time of the accident was 75 lbs over the approved maximum gross takeoff weight, and the airplane's estimated center of gravity was 1.76 inches aft of the rear limit. The pilot had been recently hired by the operator and he flew his first commercial flight in the same make and model, float-equipped airplane the week before the accident. He had accumulated 12.9 flight hours, and 13 sea landings/takeoffs in the accident model airplane since being hired as a part-time pilot. Although the airplane was able to takeoff, the aircraft's out-of-limit weight-and-balance condition increased its stall speed and degraded its climb performance, stability, and slow-flight characteristics. When the pilot turned the airplane left, the critical angle of attack was exceeded resulting in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. If the pilot had performed a proper weight and balance calculation, he may have recognized the airplane was overweight and out of balance and should not have attempted the flight without making a load adjustment.
Probable cause:
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during departure climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center of gravity limits, coupled with his lack of operational experience in the airplane make, model, and configuration.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B in Ampangabe: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 18, 2018 at 0912 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5R-MKF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Antananarivo - Antananarivo
MSN:
31-756
YOM:
1971
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
About five minutes after takeoff from Antananarivo-Ivato Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located in Ampangabe, some 10 km southwest of the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed. They were engaged in a training flight with one instructor and two pilots under instruction on board.
Crew:
Claude Albert Ranaivoarison, pilot.
Passengers:
Eddie Charles Razafindrakoto, General of the Madagascar Air Force,
Andy Razafindrakoto, son of the General,
Kevin Razafimanantsoa, pilot trainee,
Mamy Tahiana Andrianarijaona, pilot trainee.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Băleni

Date & Time: Jun 6, 2018 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YR-DAX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Băleni - Băleni
MSN:
1G216-16
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
3209.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
8684
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a crop spraying flight in Băleni and was spraying insecticides on fields. While passing from a field to an other, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when, passing over a road, the airplane struck the roof of a truck. Out of control, the airplane crash landed in a field and came to rest, bursting into flames. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a loss of control following an in-flight collision with a truck. The crew failed to observe the potential traffic passing on the road while flying at a very low height of three metres above the ground, which was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a GippsAero GA10 Airvan near Mojave

Date & Time: Jun 4, 2018 at 1152 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-XMH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mojave - Mojave
MSN:
GA10-TP450-16-101
YOM:
2016
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9767
Captain / Total hours on type:
46.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10980
Copilot / Total hours on type:
287
Aircraft flight hours:
113
Circumstances:
The airplane manufacturer was conducting spin flight testing for the installation of a cargo pod when the airplane exhibited aberrant behavior and the testing was halted. The chief design engineer (CDE) was consulted, and, to provide a margin of safety for further flights, a forward center of gravity position was authorized for flaps up and flaps takeoff entries to gain more insight into the airplane's behavior on the previous flight. At the final briefing, before the next flight, the flight crew added spins with flaps in the landing configuration (flaps landing) into the test plan without the CDE's consultation or authorization. According to the pilot flying, after two wings-level, power on, flaps landing spins with left rudder and right aileron, a third spin entry was flown in the same configuration except that the entry was from a 30° left-bank turn. The airplane entered a normal spin, and, at one turn, flight controls were inputted for a normal recovery; however, the airplane settled into a fully developed spin. When recovery attempts failed, the decision was made to deploy the anti-spin parachute. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to deploy the anti-spin parachute, and when the airplane's altitude reached about 500 ft above the briefed minimum bailout altitude, both pilots called for and executed a bailout. The airplane impacted the ground and was destroyed. A postaccident examination of the anti-spin parachute system revealed that half of the connector hook had opened, which allowed the activation pin lanyard for the anti-spin parachute to become disengaged. Based on the airplane's previous aberrant behavior and the conservative parameters that the CDE had previously set, it is not likely that the CDE would have authorized abused spin entries without a prior testing buildup to those entries. Thus, the flight crew made an inappropriate decision to introduce flaps landing entry spin testing, and the failure of the anti-spin parachute contributed to the accident.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's inappropriate decision, without authorization or consultation from the manufacturer's chief design engineer, to introduce flaps in the landing configuration into the entry spin testing, which resulted in an unrecoverable spin and impact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the anti-spin parachute.
Final Report: