Crash of a Pilatus PC-12/45 near San Angelo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 2023 at 1318 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N188PC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Jacksonville – San Angelo
MSN:
188
YOM:
1997
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While on final approach to San Angelo-Mathis Field, the single engine airplane entered a rapid descent with a rate of 5,058 feet per minute then crashed in an open field located about 12 km south of the airport. The airplane was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.

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

Date & Time: Nov 10, 2023 at 1242 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-84566
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pevek - Polyarny
MSN:
1G189-33
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7978
Captain / Total hours on type:
851.00
Aircraft flight hours:
345
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Pevek on a cargo flight to Polyarny, carrying two passengers, one pilot and a load of 150 kg of various goods. Approaching the destination, weather conditions deteriorated with heavy rain falls. In limited visibility, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed in the snow covered tundra few km from Polyarny. The wreckage was found few hours later and all three occupants were injured, the captain seriously. The airplane was a TR-301, a version of the AN-2 without the lower wings. Modification were performed by Tekhnoregion under MSN ТR301.21.004.
Probable cause:
The collision with a mountainside occurred in a mountainous area during daylight under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) that did not permit Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, as a result of the pilot-in-command (PIC) losing visual contact with the ground.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The decision by the PIC to proceed with the flight despite forecasted meteorological conditions along the route and at the landing site that did not permit VFR operations (due to heavy precipitation).
- The failure of the PIC to take appropriate measures to avoid an hazardous area when signs of dangerous meteorological phenomenons became evident during the flight.
- Conducting the flight in violation of the aircraft's operational limitations under conditions unsuitable for VFR.
- The PIC's failure to make a timely decision to return to the departure airport or divert to an alternate airport when weather conditions deteriorated to levels below the minimums established for VFR operations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 695A Jetprop 1000 near Cloncurry: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 2023 at 1430 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VH-HPY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Toowoomba - Mount Isa
MSN:
96051
YOM:
1982
Flight number:
BDOG370
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
In the early afternoon, the twin engine airplane departed Toowoomba Airport on an aerial survey flight under callsign BDOG370 to Mount Isa with three people on board. The purpose of the flight was to conduct a survey mission of the area in case of bushfire. While cruising at an altitude of 28,000 feet, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent. It reached a rate of descent of 9,600 feet per minute until it crashed in an uninhabited area located approximately 70 km southeast of Cloncurry. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Breu: 1killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 2023 at 1100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
OB-1600
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pucallpa – Breu
MSN:
789
YOM:
1977
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Pucallpa-Captain David Abensur Rengifo Airport around 1000LT on a cargo flight to Breu with two pilots on board. On approach to Breu-Tipishsa Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located about 4 km northwest of Breu. The captain was killed and the copilot was injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu JetProp DLX in Pierre: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 2023 at 1611 LT
Registration:
N92884
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pierre – Steamboat Springs
MSN:
46-36107
YOM:
1997
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2810
Captain / Total hours on type:
680.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3653
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that before takeoff on the cross-country flight, the airplane contained 100 gallons of fuel, with 11 gallons in the header fuel tank, and the airplane’s automatic fuel transfer system was configured as per the checklist. No anomalies were noted during the engine start, takeoff, and initial climb. About 7 minutes into the flight and climbing through 12,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine sustained an abrupt loss of power that was confirmed by the loss of torque and engine compressor turbine rpm (Ng) speed. The pilot noted no cockpit warning or abnormal indications before the loss of engine power. The pilot declared an emergency and then executed a 180° turn back to the departure airport. The pilot attempted two engine restarts, and both were unsuccessful. Unable to make it back to the airport, the pilot executed an off airport forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A postaccident examination of the airframe, fuel system components, and functional engine test revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel transfer pump switch was found in the manual position. The engine’s fuel was provided by the airframe header tank. Avionics data indicated that during the short flight, the header fuel tank quantity consistently decreased, and the airplane’s automatic fuel system did not continually resupply fuel to the header tank. Based on the available data, a functional engine test, and functional testing of the airplane’s fuel system, it is likely the pilot improperly configured the airplane’s fuel transfer system, which prevented the header fuel tank from automatically refilling during the flight and resulted in fuel starvation and total loss of engine power. Although the pilot reported that he had configured the airplane’s automatic fuel transfer system per the checklist, it is likely that the fuel transfer switch was in the manual or OFF position during the flight. In addition, the pilot did not properly monitor the header tank’s fuel quantity.
Probable cause:
The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper configuration of the automatic fuel transfer system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the header tank’s fuel quantity.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Elk Grove Village

Date & Time: Sep 8, 2023 at 1841 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N220KW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago – Waterloo
MSN:
BB-1120
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3394
Captain / Total hours on type:
156.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9817
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that he had completed a charter flight and departed to pick up new passengers at an airport about 200 nautical miles away. While on approach to the destination airport, the previous passengers notified the pilot that they were ready to be picked up, so the pilot did not land and turned the airplane back toward the departure airport. The pilot climbed to 10,000 ft and noticed the airplane’s fuel burn was high, so he climbed to 16,000 ft. The pilot reported that “everything was routine until about a 3-mile final” to the runway, when the controller asked the pilot to slow to a final approach speed. An airplane was still on the runway, so the controller told the pilot to go around. The pilot told controllers twice that he had minimum fuel available. The pilot continued on a visual approach for the same runway when the right engine lost power followed by the left engine. He feathered both propellers and made a forced landing to a wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot later stated that he was “trying to do too much with too little” fuel and the accident was a result of poor fuel management. Although the controller directed the pilot to go around, the pilot should have recognized the criticality of the minimum fuel situation and landed the airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s improper fuel planning, that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and a subsequent forced landing. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to go around with minimum fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Mbukula

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2023
Operator:
Registration:
9S-LAL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lubumbashi – Kananga
MSN:
207-0320
YOM:
1976
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Mbukula while performing a flight from Lubumbashi to Kananga. The crew was supposed to make a stop in Mbukula to deliver fuel cans and chairs to the village chief's home when the accident occurred.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 600 in Kuzhenkino: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 2023 at 1715 LT
Operator:
Registration:
RA-02795
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moscow - Saint Petersburg
MSN:
145-1008
YOM:
2007
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The Legacy departed Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport shortly before 1645LT on a flight to St Petersburg-Pulkovo, carrying seven passengers and three crew members. According to the radar, while cruising at FL280, it entered an uncontrolled descent and spiraled into the ground until it crashed in an open field located near the village of Kuzhenkino, bursting into flames. The airplane was destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. The airplane was the property of the Wagner Group owned by Evgueni Viktorovitch Prigozhine who was on board with Dmitry Utkin, n°2 of the group. It is showable on videos that the airplane was emanating white/grey smoke while spiraling to the ground.

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 690C Jetprop 840 in Las Velas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 2023 at 1530 LT
Operator:
Registration:
YV2915
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Caracas – Medellín
MSN:
690-11663
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was en route from Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport to Medellín-José María Córdova Airport (Rionegro) with two people on board. In unknown circumstances, it went out of control and crashed in a pasture located near the village of Las Velas, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C99 Airliner in Litchfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 2023 at 1741 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N55RP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Auburn - Auburn
MSN:
U-198
YOM:
1982
Flight number:
WIG634
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport on a local training mission under callsign WIG634. After making a circuit over Sebago Lake located southwest of the airport, the crew continued to the northeast when control was lost. The airplane entered a descent with a rate of 7,300 feet per minute until it crashed in a wooded area located near Mt Oak Hill, about 25 km northeast of Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were killed.