Region
Europe

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest in Greenland: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1990 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 441 Conquest
Operator:
Nuna Air
Registration:
OY-CGM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Söndreströmfjord - Goose Bay
MSN:
441-0229
YOM:
1982
Location:
Greenland
All Greenland
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Sondreströmfjord on a charter flight to Goose Bay, carrying six sailors and two pilots. Seventeen minutes after takeoff, while cruising at FL220, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and the crew did not send any distress call. At an altitude of 7,000 feet, the aircraft disintegrated and debris scattered on a wide area. The wreckage was found about 148 southwest of Sondreströmfjord and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the following findings were reported:
- There was no evidence from the post-mortem examination which suggests a contributory factor in this accident.
- There was no radio transmission from the crew indicating that they were concerned of any problem.
- There was no evidence of fire, engine failure, explosion, structural or mechanical defect prior to the in-flight break-up.
- The evaluation of the ATC tape indicates that an impairment of the crew was present, consistent with, but not confirmatory of hypoxia.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 100 in Greenland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1985 at 1932 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
YN-BZF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Keflavik – Sondreströmfjord
MSN:
10118
YOM:
1959
Location:
Greenland
All Greenland
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
45111
Aircraft flight cycles:
58384
Circumstances:
The Fokker F-27, registration YN-BZF, was engaged on a delivery flight from North Yemen to Nicaragua. For the purpose of extended range two 200 US gal auxiliary ferry fuel tanks had been installed in the cabin of the aircraft. YN-BZF departed on 11 April 1985 from North Yemen (Sanaa) via Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), Egypt (Cairo) to Greece (Athens). The flight proceeded from Greece on 19 April 1985 via Italy (Genoa) to Scotland (Prestwick). On 20 April 1985 the flight proceeded from Prestwick via Stornoway to Reykjavik (Iceland) where it arrived at 15:48 hours. Since the crew had been unable to retrieve fuel from the auxiliary ferry fuel system during the preceding part of the flight, they checked the system during the stay at Reykjavik, and they found it to be in working order. An additional check was done by experienced Icelandic F-27 engineers. In the opinion of the ground engineers the auxiliary fuel system "was not very professionally looking" and they "got the feeling that the crew was not quite certain of how to operate it". They advised the crew on how to operate the fuel system and do a ground run to see if it worked. After having received weather information and ATC clearance, the crew took off at 17:21 hours, heading for Kangerlussuaq-Søndre Strømfjord Airport. At 18:32 the Pilot-in-Command transmitted a message to Iceland radio, whom he asked to extend his thanks to the Icelandic engineers with the message that the auxiliary ferry fuel system was working correctly. This message was transmitted prior to passage of Kulusuk at 19:35 hours. During the flight from Reykjavík, Iceland to Greenland the crew informed the air traffic control that problems had arisen with retrieving fuel from the auxiliary ferry fuel system. At 19:50, approximately 50 NM west of Kulusuk, the crew radioed to the radar station BIG GUN about fuel problems, as it had been discovered that the auxiliary ferry fuel system did not function after all. Thus encountering a reduction of fuel reserves by approximately 400 US gal together with a ground speed of only 180 knots the crew decided to return for landing at Kulusuk Airport. However, due to deteriorating weather conditions the aerodrome could not be located. The flight diverted hereafter westbound for an emergency landing at a radar station, "SOB STORY", on the icecap. During descent the aircraft collided with the icecap.
Probable cause:
The following findings were reported:
- The crew was properly certified for the flight,
- According to the crew the normal aircraft systems, except for the FDR and the cockpit right front window electrical deicing system, were functioning normally, which was also determined by the on site investigation,
- The auxiliary ferry fuel system was not functioning properly. The cause of this has not been conclusively established,
- The crew did not undertake a satisfactory functional airborne check of the auxiliary ferry fuel system to ensure that it worked prior to the essential appliance of the system for flight, (cause-factor),
- It is the opinion of this department from the evidence available that a deficiency in the procedures applied for operating the auxiliary ferry fuel system may have been a major factor,
- The assistance rendered to the flight of YN-BZF was active and generally professional. However, the AFIS operator erroneously stated the distance from the KK NDB of 3 NM to be 10 NM.,
- Furthermore the bearing from the KK NDB was not stated by the AFIS operator at BGKK on request from the crew of YN-BZF,
- In the opinion of this department the lack of this information does not seem to have had any important bearing on the possibility of locating the aerodrome,
- Weather conditions were a major factor in this accident, at the time of the approach into BGKK, as well as at the accident site, (cause-factor),
- The Search and Rescue operation was anticipated at an early stage and put into effect immediately after the aircraft was considered to have had an accident,
- The conditions offered on the accident site: low visibility approaching darkness, and consequently the inability to evaluate surface conditions, precluded successful rescue in the first attempt.

Crash of a Learjet 25XR near Narsarsuaq: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Redec Aviation
Registration:
HZ-GP5
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
25-199
YOM:
1975
Location:
Narsarsuaq
Kommune Kujalleq
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was cleared to descend from FL310 to 9,000 feet when the airplane struck the slope of an ice covered mountain located about 130 km northeast of Narsarsuaq. The wreckage was found at an altitude of about 2,630 meters and both pilots were killed. For unknown reasons, the airplane descended at an insufficient altitude to clear the obstacles.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter at North Station

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1981
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
CF-DHT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
130
YOM:
1968
Location:
North Ice Camp
Northeast Greenland National Park
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing about 35 miles east of North Ice Camp, one of the wheels broke through the ice. The aircraft came to rest and was abandoned. No one was injured. The airplane was engaged in a scientific mission on behalf of the University of Washington.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander in Greenland

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Harvest Air
Registration:
G-AXWG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
135
YOM:
1970
Location:
Greenland
All Greenland
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing on an icy area somewhere in Greenland, the twin engine airplane went through the ice and sank. There were no injuries but the aircraft was not recovered.

Crash of a Beechcraft A65-8200 Queen Air near Angmagssalik: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1978 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Vernair Transport
Registration:
N8431N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Washington D.C. – Sondreströmfjord – Reykjavik – Liverpool
MSN:
LC-307
YOM:
1969
Location:
Angmagssalik (Tasiilaq)
Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Washington DC to Liverpool, UK, with intermediate stops in Sondreströmfjord and Reykjavik. On the leg between Greenland and Iceland, the crew encountered icing conditions and declared an emergency after the right engine failed. He was vectored to Kulusuk Airport which is a VFR Airfield located on the southeast coast of Greenland, near the city of Angmagssalik (Tasiilaq) and open to traffic by day only. An hour later, the crew started the descent but due to a limited visibility caused by night and clouds, he was unable to locate the runway and initiated a go-around. About 45 minutes later, while descending to an altitude of 1,700 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Angmagssalik. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain while attempting an approach below weather minimums. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was descending to an altitude of 1,700 feet while the minimum safe altitude for that area was 3,500 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Narsarsuaq

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
New Jersey Airlines - NJ Airlines
Registration:
N723A
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4395
YOM:
1942
Location:
Narsarsuaq
Kommune Kujalleq
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The right main gear failed upon landing. The airplane veered to the left and came to rest. Both occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was not repaired.

Crash of a Lockheed C-141A-LM Starlifter in Søndre Strømfjord: 23 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1976 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
Operator:
Registration:
67-0008
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Thule - Söndreströmfjord
MSN:
300-6257
YOM:
1967
Location:
Kangerlussuaq (Søndre Strømfjord)
Qeqqata Kommunia
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Aircraft flight hours:
15228
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Thule Air Base on Greenland for a two-hour flight to Sonderstromfjord Air Base. From Sonderstromfjord it was to return to Thule and continue back home to McGuire AFB. The flight carried enough fuel for the flight to McGuire. Following a PAR approach the airplane landed slightly long on the 9235 feet long runway 11. The aircraft rolled for 1,500 to 2,000 feet with no thrust reverse or spoiler deployment. A go around was commenced. The plane then rotated abruptly and lifted off the runway with a pitch attitude as high as 45°. The aircraft stalled. The left wing struck the ground and burst into flames. The aircraft became airborne again with portions of the left wing missing. It flew for 650 feet before striking the ground with the right wing, causing it to catch fire. It then bounced once more and disintegrated 500 feet from runway centerline.
Source: C-141 Lifetime Mishap Summary / Lt. Col. Paul M. Hansen
Probable cause:
Investigation revealed that the crew were very inexperienced (a captain with less than 100 hours in command). The were probably affected by an optical illusion. The first 3,000 feet of runway 11 has an upslope of 1.51%; it rises 59 feet from the threshold. At touchdown, the last two-thirds of the runway disappears, giving the impression of a very short runway.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 681 Mestersvig: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681
Operator:
Registration:
SE-FGE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Topographic
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mestersvig - Mestersvig
MSN:
681-6033
YOM:
1969
Location:
Mestersvig
Northeast Greenland National Park
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Mestersvig Airport following a mapping mission. On final approach, the twin engine airplane crashed 400 meters short of runway threshold. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Kulusuk

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
F-WSGU
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15420/26865
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kulusuk
Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a delivery flight from Europe to the US, the aircraft crashed on approach to Kulusuk Airport. There were no casualties and the aircraft was abandoned on site.
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