Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou off Labuan: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1995 at 1244 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
M21-13
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Labuan - Labuan
MSN:
281
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Labuan Airport. Following several touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew initiated a new approach when one of the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea few hundred metres offshore. Three crew members were killed and three others were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou in Kiunga: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
P2-VTC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Moresby – Tabubil
MSN:
13
YOM:
1960
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While descending to Tabubil Airport on a cargo flight from Port Moresby, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to divert to Kiunga. While approaching Kiunga, the right engine failed, followed shortly later by the left engine. The aircraft lost height, struck trees and crashed 5 km from the airport. One pilot survived while both other occupants were killed. The aircraft was leased to the Vanimo Trading Company.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for unknown reasons. The assumption of a fuel starvation seems excluded.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4T Turbo Caribou in Gimli: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1992 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N400NC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gimli - Gimli
MSN:
240
YOM:
1965
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Following maintenance, the crew was engaged in a local test flight at Gimli Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing steeply to a height of about 200 feet, the aircraft entered a right turn then nosed down and crashed near the runway, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was just coming out from maintenance after several parts have been replaced on elevators and rudder. The crew took part to these assembly operations made necessary due to a rudder lock system malfunction. The crew lost control of the aircraft shortly after rotation due to the rudder jamming unexpectedly following a failure in the locking mechanism. Investigations show that the assembly operations were carried out in accordance with regulations in force and it is believed that a mechanical failure is the only plausible hypothesis to explain the accident as the crew did not make any error.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou in Ross River: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1987 at 1713 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GVYX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Nelson - Ross River
MSN:
292
YOM:
1970
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
11185
Circumstances:
The DHC-4A Caribou aircraft was en route from Calgary to Ross River where it was to be used to transport silver ore concentrate from the mines at Plata to Ross River. On board were two pilots, two company aircraft maintenance engineers to service the aircraft, and about 5,500 pounds of aircraft parts and equipment to support the operation of the aircraft in Ross River. One refuelling stop was made at Fort Nelson, after which the aircraft proceeded on an IFR flight plan to its destination. Ross River has no published instrument approach and is situated in a valley in mountainous terrain. It was necessary to overfly Ross River, proceed 30 miles to the northwest and complete an NDB approach at Faro where the minimum circling altitude is 2,709 feet agl. When below cloud at Faro, the aircraft must then proceed visually up the river valley to Ross River. The Caribou arrived over Faro at approximately 16:15, and an attempt was made to descend below the cloud base which was reported to be 400 to 600 feet agl. When visual reference with the ground was not made, the pilot climbed out to the southeast and informed Faro Community Airport Radio Station (CARS) that he was proceeding to his alternate, Watson Lake. In cruise flight the no. 2 engine began to lose oil, causing the oil pressure to drop to zero. The right engine was then shut down, and the propeller was feathered. A little later, the aircraft was heard flying out to the southeast for an approach to runway 26 at the Ross River Airport. On approach the landing gear had to be recycled because the nose gear did not lock down during the first attempt to lower the gear. The plane was no longer in a position to land, so the captain initiated a go-around. The aircraft passed by the town and then began to lose altitude, descending gradually into the trees. Portions of the right wing were torn off on contact with the trees, and the plane rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. The aircraft then cartwheeled over the embankment and down onto the river shore 20 feet below.
Probable cause:
The Canadian Aviation Safety Board determined that a lack of communication at the company's maintenance facility led to the dispatch of the aircraft with an unsuitable gasket in the right engine, and the subsequent loss of engine oil. A single-engine go-around was attempted when the combination of single-engine performance, a low cloud base, and high terrain surrounding a confined operating area made a successful overshoot uncertain. The flaps were fully retracted before the minimum speed for single-engine flight in the zero flap configuration was achieved.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou in Camden

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A4-264
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Camden - Camden
MSN:
264
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Camden Airport. On final approach, the pilot-in-command initiated a go-around when the aircraft stalled and crashed. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou in Lime Village: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1986 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N539Y
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palmer - Lime Village
MSN:
197
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
16972
Aircraft flight hours:
12159
Circumstances:
Witnesses observed the aircraft on final approach with its gear down then the nose pitched up. The aircraft rolled left and crashed into trees. The aircraft's cockpit, cabin, engine nacelles, cargo and portions of the wings were destroyed by post-impact fire. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed the landing gear was in the up and locked position and the flaps were at 30°. This is consistent with a go-around configuration. No mechanical malfunction/failure could be determined. The aircraft had a restricted category airworthiness certificate. The cargo area contained two fuel tanks and assorted items (oil stove, tools, 55 gallon drum and hoses). The pilot was type rated in this aircraft. The runway length listed in the Alaska supplement was 1,000 feet longer than the actual runway length. The runway was glazed with ice. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
2. (c) airspeed (vs) - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) altitude - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) go-around - attempted - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou in the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1984 at 0307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5488R
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Maria - Saint John's
MSN:
216
YOM:
1964
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
50000
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4500
Circumstances:
Pilot ditched aircraft in Atlantic Ocean following a loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. Copilot stated they were aware of bad weather along the route but the pilot was anxious to get to their destination. Headwinds encountered en route were stronger then expected. Copilot stated they had shut down one of the engines approximately 1/2 hour before the ditching in an effort to conserve fuel. A pilot died while the second was rescued.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - rain
2. (c) preflight planning/preparation - poor - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
4. Judgment - poor - pilot in command
5. (f) anxiety/apprehension - pilot in command
6. Fluid, fuel - exhaustion
7. (c) fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
8. Terrain condition - water, rough
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou in Kampung Atap: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1982 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
M21-17
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Taiping - Kuala Lumpur
MSN:
306
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
Misty 116B
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Taiping to Kuala Lumpur under call sign 'Misty 116B'. En route, while cruising over the Cameron Mountain Range, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded and isolated area. The wreckage was found a day later and all seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou near Valladolid: 44 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HC-BHZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Zumba - Loja
MSN:
249
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
Circumstances:
While cruising in bad weather conditions on a flight from Zumba to Loja, the crew got disoriented when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Valladolid. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 44 occupants were killed.