Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near Restrepo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 2021 at 0705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2820
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Villavicencio - Villavicencio
MSN:
20171
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
16973
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9387
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport at 0643LT on a training flight consisting with a proficiency check of the captain. On board were one instructor, one captain and one mechanic. About 22 minutes into the flight, while cruising over mountainous terrain in Instrument Meteorological Conditions, the airplane impacted trees and crashed on the slope of a hilly terrain located in the region of Restrepo. The wreckage was found three days later and all three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C off Nassau

Date & Time: Oct 18, 2019 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N437GB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Nassau
MSN:
19999
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On the 18th October 2019, at approximately 4:30 PM local time, a Douglas DC-3C aircraft, registration N437GB crashed in the ocean; at coordinates 25°05.55N 077°30.29W, approximately 2.87miles from Runway 14 at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN) Nassau, Bahamas. There were 2 souls on board. The pilot reported that the left engine failed approximately 25-30 nautical miles from MYNN. The pilot further stated that during single engine operation, the aircraft performance was not optimal so the decision was made to land the aircraft in the ocean. The Air Traffic Control tower was notified by the crew of N437GB, that they will be performing a control water landing. The Royal Bahamas Defense Force was notified. Rescue efforts were then put into place. No injuries were received by the occupants of the aircraft. Aircraft could not be located for physical analysis to be carried out. The weather at the time of the accident was visual meteorological conditions and not a factor in this accident. A limited scope investigation was conducted, no safety message or recommendations were issued.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine on approach for unknown reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Finca La Bendición: 14 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2019 at 1036 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2494
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Jose del Guaviare – Villavicencio
MSN:
33105/16357
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
12710
Captain / Total hours on type:
7044.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12710
Copilot / Total hours on type:
7044
Aircraft flight hours:
23000
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed San José del Guaviare on a charter flight to Villavicencio, carrying 11 passengers and three crew members. While cruising at an altitude of 8,500 feet in good weather conditions, the left engine failed due to an important fuel leak. The crew elected to secure the engine but was unable to feather the propeller. The airplane lost speed and height, and while attempting an emergency landing, the crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a palm plantation, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the following probable causes:
- Loss of control in-flight as a consequence of the decrease in minimum in-flight control speed and drag generated by the impossibility of performing the No. 1 engine propeller feathering in the face of engine failure.
- Malfunction of the lubrication system of engine No. 1, evident in the abundant oil leakage from the engine, in flight, and in the governor of the left propeller; although discrepancies were found in the maintenance of the propeller feathering pressure line, it was not possible to determine the origin of the oil leakage.
- Weaknesses in the aircraft Operator's operational procedures, lacking a standard that would facilitate a crew's decision making to act in the event of critical failures, in matters such as making an emergency landing on unprepared field or the selection of an alternate airfield.

Contributing Factors:
- Deficiencies in standard maintenance practices during repairs performed on the No. 1 engine's propeller propeller feathering oil pressure line.
- Non-compliance with an effective and reliable maintenance program, which did not verify the operating conditions of the aircraft components; it was not possible to determine compliance with the last 50-hour service, Phase A, to engine No. 1 according to the company's maintenance program, since there are no records of that service in the Flight Log.
- Inefficient safety management system of the Operator for not detecting errors in the maintenance processes and in the conduct and control of operations.
Final Report:

Crash of an AMI DC-3-65TP in Kidron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 2019 at 0912 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N467KS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kidron - Akron
MSN:
20175
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
15457
Captain / Total hours on type:
5612.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9969
Copilot / Total hours on type:
12
Aircraft flight hours:
37504
Circumstances:
The two pilots departed in a turbine powered DC-3C at maximum gross weight for a repositioning flight. The airplane was part of a test program for new, higher horsepower engine installation. Soon after liftoff and about 3 seconds after decision speed (V1), the left engine lost total power. The propeller began to auto-feather but stopped feathering about 3 seconds after the power loss. The airplane yawed and banked to the left, descended, and impacted terrain. Recorded engine data indicated the power loss was due to an engine flameout; however, examination of the engine did not determine a reason for the flameout or the auto-feather system interruption. While it is plausible that an air pocket developed in the fuel system during the refueling just before the flight, this scenario was not able to be tested or confirmed. It is possible that the auto-feather system interruption would have occurred if the left power lever was manually retarded during the auto-feather sequence. The power loss and auto-feather system interruption occurred during a critical, time-sensitive phase of flight since the airplane was at low altitude and below minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc). The acutely transitional phase of flight would have challenged the pilots' ability to manually feather the propeller quickly and accurately. The time available for the crew to respond to the unexpected event was likely less than needed to recognize the problem and take this necessary action – even as an immediate action checklist/memory item.
Probable cause:
The loss of airplane control after an engine flameout and auto-feather system interruption during the takeoff climb, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in San Felipe

Date & Time: Jul 11, 2018 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-3293
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Inírida – San Felipe
MSN:
9186
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
16000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7784
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1715
Aircraft flight hours:
29170
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Inírida on a humanitarian flight to San Felipe, carrying nine passengers, three crew members and various goods and equipment dedicated to the victims of the recent floods. Following an uneventful flight, the crew landed on runway 18. After touchdown, the aircraft deviated to the left. It pivoted to the left, lost its left main gear and the left propeller and came to a halt on the runway edge. All 12 occupants were rescued, among them one passenger was slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a lateral runway excursion as a result of a loss of control on the ground caused by the loss of air pressure in the left main gear tire, as a result of the penetration of a FOD (metallic object) into the tire during the landing run. Poor risk management by the San Felipe Aerodrome operator (SKFP) and a lack of a runway FOD control program (SKFP) by the operator of the aerodrome was considered as contributing factors.
Final Report: