Crash of an Airbus A330-202 in Tripoli: 103 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 2010 at 0601 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-ONG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Johannesburg - Tripoli - London
MSN:
1024
YOM:
2009
Flight number:
AAW771
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
93
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
103
Captain / Total flying hours:
17016
Captain / Total hours on type:
516.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4216
Copilot / Total hours on type:
516
Aircraft flight hours:
2175
Aircraft flight cycles:
572
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a schedule flight from O. R. Tambo International Airport - Johannesburg (South Africa) to London, with an intermediate stop at Tripoli international Airport, Libya. The Aircraft took off on May 11th 2010 at 19:25 UTC as flight number 8U771/AAW771. There were three cockpit crew, eight cabin crew, and 93 passengers on board, with fifty thousand kg of fuel during takeoff role and the Aircraft mass was 187,501 kg. During final approach towards runway 09 at Tripoli international Airport, the crew announced go-around and initiated the miss approach procedure with the knowledge and confirmation of Tripoli tower. During the missed approach phase, the Aircraft responded to the crew’s inputs, velocity and altitude increased above the MDA, then the aircraft descended dramatically until collided with the ground about 1,200 meters from the threshold of the runway 09 and 150 meters to the right of its centerline, impact and post impact fire caused complete destruction to the Aircraft. A boy aged 8 was injured while 103 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A final approach carried out in common managed guidance mode should have relieved the crew of their tasks. The limited coordination and cooperation between the two crew members, especially the change into vertical selected guidance mode by the PF, probably led to a lack of a common action plan. The lack of feedback from the 28 April 2010 flight, flown by the same crew on the same aircraft, did not allow them to anticipate the potential risks associated with managing non-precision approaches. The pilots’ performance was likely impaired because of fatigue, but the extent of their impairment and the degree to which it contributed to the performance deficiencies that occurred during the flight cannot be conclusively determined. During the go-around, the crew was surprised not to acquire visual references. On one hand the crew feared exceeding the aircraft’s speed limits in relation to its configuration, and on the other hand they were feeling the effects of somatogravic illusion due to the aircraft acceleration. This probably explains the aircraft handling inputs, mainly nose-down inputs, applied during the go-around. These inputs were not consistent with what is expected in this flight phase. The degraded CRM did not make it possible for either crew member to identify and recover from the situation before the collision with the ground, even when the TAWS warnings were activated close to the ground.
Based on elements from the investigation, the accident resulted from:
- The lack of common action plan during the approach and a final approach continued below the MDA, without ground visual reference acquired.
- The inappropriate application of flight control inputs during a go- around and on the activation of TAWS warnings,
- The lack of monitoring and controlling of the flight path.
These events can be explained by the following factors:
- Limited CRM on approach that degraded during the missed approach. This degradation was probably amplified by numerous radio-communications during the final approach and the crew’s state of fatigue,
- Aircraft control inputs typical in the occurrence of somatogravic perceptual illusions,
- Inappropriate systematic analysis of flight data and feedback mechanism within the AFRIQIYAH Airways.
- Non adherence to the company operation manual, SOP and standard terminology.
In addition, the investigation committee found the following as contributing factors to the accident:
- Weather available to the crew did not reflect the actual weather situation in the final approach segment at Tripoli International Airport.
- In adequacy of training received by the crew.
- Occupancy of tower frequency by both air and ground movements control.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 near Tripoli

Date & Time: Oct 31, 2007
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-DOZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
125 04
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a desert area near Atoqah. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed in the accident.

Crash of a Short 360 in Marsa al Burayqah: 22 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 2000 at 1238 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HB-AAM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tripoli - Marsa el Brega
MSN:
3763
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Captain / Total flying hours:
8814
Captain / Total hours on type:
3840.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10422
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1950
Aircraft flight hours:
7138
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off at 0929 utc from Tripoli-Intl Airport with two flight crew, one cabin crew and 38 passengers of which three children and one infant with 3,200 lbs of fuel on board. The aircraft flew on the route Tripoli - Beniwalid - Tilal direct to Marsa Brega. During flight, the crew have noticed fuel imbalance so they did a cross feeding until fuel balanced at 11:17:12 utc. At 11:25:51 utc, the aircraft started to descend from FL070 at 40 nm from Marsa Brega. At 11:36:57 utc, the left engine flamed out and the captain asked his f/o to confirm left engine failure at 11:37:27 utc. The f/o confirmed the left engine failure at 11:37:28 utc. The right engine flamed out at 11:37:39 utc. The captain asked his f/o to inform soc operation at Marsa Brega about the two engines failure and his decision to ditch at 11:37:57 utc. The captain asked his f/o to relight the engine at 11:38:05 utc. The GPWS activated since the aircraft was in an unsafe situation. At 11:38:34 utc, the aircraft ditched in the sea at 30 23.457 N 019 28.953 E. Both pilots and 17 other occupants were rescued while 22 other people including the cabin crew were killed. The aircraft was destroyed. Most of the passengers were employees of the Sirte Oil Company and working at the Marsa Brega Oil Complex. On board were 15 Libyans (among them both pilots), 13 British, two Canadians, three Indians, three Croatians, three Philippines, one Pakistan and one Tunisian, the cabin crew. Operated by the Libyan Sirte Oil Company, the aircraft was owned by Avisto, a Swiss operator.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The crew was properly certificated and qualified for the flight.
- There was no evidence of factors which would have detracted from the crews physical ability to operate the aircraft,
- The aircraft was properly certificated.
- The certificate of airworthiness has no expiry date according to Swiss regulations and considered to be valid and of transport category.
- The certificate of maintenance was valid.
- The insurance policy certificate was valid.
- The aircraft weight and CofG were within prescribed limits.
- The aircraft flew five sectors on that day before the crash flight.
- The emergency doors were not used except the cockpit emergency hatch.
- Fuel samples analyzed and found up to jet a1 specification.
- The aircraft was not in landing configuration, landing gear up and flaps up.
- The passengers were not informed about the aircraft ditching.
- The tail unit and the aircraft nose has destroyed which led the aircraft to sink in few minutes.
- The aircraft was equipped with a GPWS system.
- The aircraft maintenance schedule was not approved by FOCA.
Probable causes:
- Melting of ice formed at engines intake resulted in ware ingestion and both engine flame out.
- The flight crew failed to operate the engine anti-icing system.
- The flight crew were busy with a discussion not relevant to their flight of the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 600 near Bani Walid

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-DBO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Siirt - Tripoli
MSN:
10513
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Siirt on a cloud-seeding flight to Tripoli. It is believed that the crew encountered technical problems enroute and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in a sandy area located 15 km south of Bani Walid and came to rest. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Tripoli: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1994
Registration:
5A-DJK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tripoli - Tripoli
MSN:
775
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Tripoli Airport when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near the airfield. The copilot was seriously injured while the captain/instructor was killed.

Crash of a Boeing 727-2L5 in Tripoli: 157 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1992 at 0807 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-DIA
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Benghazi - Tripoli
MSN:
21050
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
LN1103
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
147
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
157
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Benghazi, the crew was cleared to start the descent to Tripoli Airport. Due to military traffic, the crew was instructed to hold over the Papa Echo beacon located 4,1 DME from runway 27 threshold. At an altitude of 3,000 feet, the Boeing 727 collided with a Libyan Air Force MiG-23 that just took off from Tripoli Airport. The fighter struck the tail of the Boeing that entered a dive and crashed 9 km from the airport after the tail separated. All 157 occupants were killed while both pilots on board the fighter ejected safely.

Crash of a Boeing 707-351C in Tripoli

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-DJT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tripoli - Benghazi
MSN:
18888
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
189
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Tripoli Airport, after a course of about 700 metres, the aircraft veered off runway to the left. While contacting soft ground, all undercarriage and all four engines were torn off. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres and came to rest, broken in three and bursting into flames. All 199 occupants were evacuated, among them 10 were injured.

Crash of a Douglas DC-10-30 in Tripoli: 81 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1989 at 0725 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HL7328
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Seoul - Bangkok - Jeddah - Tripoli
MSN:
47887
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
KE803
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
18
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
181
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
111
Aircraft flight hours:
49025
Aircraft flight cycles:
11440
Circumstances:
The approach to Tripoli Intl Airport was completed in below weather minima as the visibility was varying between 100 and 800 feet and the ILS on runway 27 was unserviceable. On short final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the roof of a house, stalled and crashed in a residential area located 2,4 km short of runway. Three crew members and 72 passengers were killed as well as six people on the ground. 124 people in the aircraft were injured as well as few dozen on the ground.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to continue the descent below the glide until the aircraft struck obstacles and crashed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of visibility due to foggy conditions,
- Below minima weather conditions,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around while he did not establish a visual contact with the runway,
- The ILS system for runway 27 was unserviceable,
- The crew failed to follow the approach procedures,
- The crew ignored ATC warnings,
- The approach speed was excessive and the flaps were not deployed in the correct angle,
- The crew of a Russian aircraft diverted to Malta an hour before the accident due to unsafe landing conditions.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 600 in Zillah

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-DDV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Zillah - Tripoli
MSN:
10588
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
36
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
7924
Aircraft flight cycles:
5494
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Zillah Airport, while climbing, the crew encountered vibration on the left engine and decided to return for a safe landing. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the aircraft crash landed in a desert area located few km from the airport. All 39 occupants were evacuated, among them nine passengers were injured. The aircraft was written off.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Hamada al Hamra: 14 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1988 at 0720 LT
Registration:
5A-DDD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamada al Hamra - Tripoli
MSN:
670
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Hamada al Hamra Airport at 0705LT bound for Tripoli carrying two pilots and 12 employees of the Arabian Gulf Oil Company and Halliburton Company. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew was instructed to return because military activity en route was ongoing. Unfortunately, the visibility at Hamada al Hamra Airport dropped due to fog. Following a short holding circuit, the crew attempted to land when, on short final, the aircraft struck successively a concrete pipeline bridge and a wooden electrical pylon then crashed few hundred meters short of runway, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is possible that the pilot-in-command suffered an optical illusion on short final and mistook the the concrete pipeline bridge for the runway.