Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air in Bahía Solano

Date & Time: Jun 2, 2014 at 1700 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PNC-0225
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
BB-1644
YOM:
1998
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bahía Solano-José Celestino Mutis Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered engine problems. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a prairie. The aircraft landed gear up and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. While all three occupants escaped with minor injuries, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-74TK-300D in Xiang Khouang: 16 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 2014 at 0615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RDPL-34020
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vientiane – Xieng Khouang
MSN:
470 98 982
YOM:
2007
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
On final approach to Xieng Khouang Airport, the aircraft descended too low, impacted trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located some 1,500 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. 14 occupants were killed while 3 others were injured, among them a nurse. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A day later, two survivors died from their injuries and the nurse was the only survivor. Among the passengers were members of the Laotian Government flying to Xieng Khouang to attend a celebration of the creation of the 2nd Division of the Laotian Army. Among the passengers were the Laotian Ministry of Defense and Vice-Prime Minister Mr. Douangchay Phichit, the Secretary of the National Party Mr. Cheuang Sombounkhanh, the Mayor of Vientiane Mr. Soukanh Mahalath and the Laotian Ministry of Public Safety Mr. Thongbanh Sengaphone. For unknown reason, the crew was approaching the airport at a too low altitude.

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air in Chandigarh

Date & Time: Mar 27, 2014 at 1139 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VT-HRA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chandigarh – New Delhi
MSN:
BB-1906
YOM:
2005
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9888
Captain / Total hours on type:
2165.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2147
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1383
Aircraft flight hours:
2010
Circumstances:
On 25.03.2014, the operator received the travel programme for 27.3.2014, of Hon'ble Governor of Haryana from Chandigarh to Delhi. On 26.3.2014, the operations department took the flight clearances and filed the passenger manifest with the ATC and other concerned agencies. The flight plan was filed by a CPL holder, who is working as flight dispatcher with the Government of Haryana. The departure on 27.3.2014 was fixed at 1130 hrs. The cockpit crew reported at 1045 hrs for the flight. Pre flight medical examination including the breath analyzer test was carried out at 1100 hrs. The breath analyzer test for both the cockpit crew members was negative. Pre flight briefing among the crew members was carried out by using the documents prepared by the flight dispatcher. The aircraft was taxied under its own power from Haryana Government Hangar to bay no. D-2 in front of ATC building. No abnormality was observed or reported on the aircraft during this taxiing. The engines were shut down for passenger embarkation. As per the passenger manifest, in addition to the pilot and co-pilot there were 8 passengers. The baggage on board was approx. 50 lbs. There was 2100 lbs. of fuel on board. After boarding of the passengers, the aircraft engines were started at 1130 hrs. The aircraft was cleared for departure abeam „D‟ link. The aircraft was taxied out via taxiway „D‟. After ATC departure clearance the aircraft was lined up for take-off. On clearance from ATC the take off roll was initiated and all the parameters were found normal. As per the pilot just before getting airborne some stiffness was found in rudder control as is felt in yaw damper engagement. The aircraft then pulled slightly to the left which as per the Commander was controllable. As per the pilot, the rotation was initiated at 98 knots. As per the DATCO the aircraft had lifted up to 10-15 feet AGL. The Commander has stated that after lift-off, immediately the left rudder got locked in forward position resulting in the aircraft yawing and rolling to left. The pilots tried to control it with right bank but the aircraft could not be controlled. Within 3-4 seconds of getting airborne the aircraft impacted the ground in left bank attitude. The initial impact was on pucca (tar road) and the wing has taken the first impact loads with lower surface metallic surface rubbing and screeching on ground. After the aircraft came to final halt, the co-pilot opened the door and evacuation was carried out. There was no injury to any of the occupants. The engine conditions lever could not be brought back as these were stuck. The throttle and pitch levers were retarded. The fuel shut off valves were closed. Battery and avionics were put off. Friction lock nuts were found loose. As per the Commander, after ensuring safety of passengers he had gone to cockpit to confirm that all switches were „off‟. At that time he has loosened the friction lock nuts to bring back the condition lever and throttle lever. However even after loosening the nut it was not possible to bring back these levers. Fire fighting vehicles were activated by pressing crash bell and primary alarm. Hand held RT set was used to announce the crash. RCFF vehicles proceeded to the site via runway and reported all the 10 personnel are safe and out of the disabled aircraft. Water and complementary agents (foam and dry chemical powder) were used. After fire was extinguished, the Fire Fighting vehicles reported back at crash bay except one CFT which was held at crash site under instruction of COO. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no fire barring burning of small patch of grass due coming in contact with the hot surfaces and oil. There was no injury to any of the occupants. The accident occurred in day light conditions.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred due to stalling of left wing of the aircraft at a very low height.
The contributory factors were:
- Failure on the part of the crew to effectively put off the yaw damp so as to release the rudder stiffness as per the emergency checklist.
- Checklist not being carried out by the crew members.
- Not putting off the Rudder Boost.
- Speeds call outs not made by co-pilot.
- Not abandoning the take-off at lower speed (before V1).
- Failure of CRM in the cockpit in case of emergency.
- Early rotation and haste to take-off.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten Norman BN-2B-27 Islander in Purisima del Maguey

Date & Time: Aug 22, 2013 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XC-FEE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chihuahua – Zacatecas
MSN:
2022
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
4000
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Chihuahua-General Fierro Villalobos Airport at 1352LT on a flight to Zacatecas, carrying four passengers and one pilot. It continued to the south at an altitude of 11,500 feet and a speed of 120 knots. The flight was uneventful until the pilot started the descent to Zacatecas-General Leobardo C. Ruiz. when the left engine lost power then failed shortly later. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in an open field located near Purisima del Maguey, some 25 km northwest of Zacatecas Airport. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine due to fuel exhaustion.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Failure to apply the standard procedures relating to the quantity of fuel required as set out in the applicable regulations which were not provided to the crew by the operator.
- Poor flight preparation.
- Non-adherence to VFR rules.
- Lack of familiarity in the equipment on the part of the pilot when not receiving adequate training from the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 300 Super King Air in Zacatecas: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 2013 at 1221 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XC-LMV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Zacatecas - Mexico City
MSN:
FA-83
YOM:
1986
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
8400
Aircraft flight hours:
7146
Aircraft flight cycles:
5756
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Zacatecas Airport Runway 20, while in initial climb, the crew informed ATC about technical problems with the left engine and attempted to return to land on runway 02. Eventually, the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a soft and dry terrain located southeast of the airport, bursting into flames, about one minute after takeoff. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed, among them two agents of the Federal Police and one employee of the Public Minister.
Probable cause:
Precautionary landing due to probable loss of left engine power, in soft and dry terrain, bogging down the legs of the main landing gear resulting in destruction of the aircraft. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Lack of application of CRM concepts,
- Lack of adherence to standard operating procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Casa CN235-220 in Monrovia: 11 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 2013 at 0710 LT
Registration:
3X-GGG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Conakry - Monrovia
MSN:
N014
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft was carrying a delegation of Senior Officials of the Guinea Air Force to Monrovia. On final approach to Roberts Airport, the aircraft descended too low, impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Charlesville, some 4 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 11 occupants were killed, among them General Souleymane Kéléfa Diallo, Chief of Staff of the Guinea Army Forces. The delegation was on its way to Monrovia to take part to the celebration of the Liberia Army forces anniversary.
Probable cause:
In July 2013, the investigation board confirmed that the accident resulted of multiple errors committed by the pilots who did not carry sufficient attention to the flight and the approach procedure. Investigators also concluded that the flight crew was tired, which was considered as a contributing factor because their faculties and capacities were diminished.

Crash of an Antonov AN-72 in Shymkent: 27 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 2012 at 1854 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
UP-72859
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Astana - Shymkent
MSN:
36576092859
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight on behalf of the Kazakh Border Guard Corp. While approaching Shymkent in low visibility due to the night and heavy snow falls, the aircraft hit a mountain slope located 21 km from the airport and was destroyed by impact forces. All 27 occupants were killed, among them Tourganbek Stambekov, Chief of the Kazakhtan Border Guards. It appears that the automatic pilot system failed shortly after take off from Astana and the captain decided to continue the flight. Two minutes and 40 seconds later, the radio altimeter failed as well and the crew continued the flight, referring to the barometric altimeter. But these suffered a momentary failure 19 minutes later and several differences were observed with the altitude parameters. During the descent to Shymkent in poor weather conditions, the captain failed to set the correct pressure in the barometric altimeters so the setting he was taking for reference was wrong. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was 385 meters too low and as a result, the Board concluded that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900D in Bir Kalait

Date & Time: Oct 28, 2012
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TT-ABB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
N'Djamena - Bir Kalait
MSN:
UE-406
YOM:
2000
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed N'Djamena on a flight to Bir Kalait, carrying 15 passengers and two pilots, among them a delegation of the Presidency. On short final, the aircraft named 'Am Djerass' was too low and struck the ground short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off. The aircraft slid on its belly for about 200 metres before coming to rest in a sandy area with all propeller blades separated. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair but all 17 occupants escaped uninjured, among the Idriss Déby, President of the Tchad Republic who was flying to Bir Kalait to take part to the Peace and Development Forum for the Borku-Ennedi-Tibesti Region.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Yola

Date & Time: Oct 25, 2012 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-BMJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jalingo – Yola
MSN:
208B-2098
YOM:
2009
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
999
Circumstances:
On the 25th of October, 2012 at 17: 48 h, a Cessna Caravan 208B, 5N-BMJ, departed Jalingo for Yola on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan with four Persons-On-Board (one crew and three passengers). At 18:00 h, the Airport Manager stationed at Jalingo by Taraba State Government, called Yola Control Tower (CT) by phone to advise that the aircraft had departed Jalingo for Yola. At 18:25 h the pilot reported field in sight. CT then advised him to “continue approach and report final, wind calm” and the pilot acknowledged “will continue approach, to report final”. At 18:27 h CT had the aircraft in sight and advised the pilot to report “final, wind calm”, the pilot acknowledged. At 18:30 h, CT lost visual contact with 5N-BMJ and tried to raise her on radio but there was no response. At 18:37 h, information was received from witnesses, regarding a possible plane crash at Yola-Numan road close to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot. This information was subsequently passed to the fire watch room. Rescue team and other security personnel were mobilized to the location of the crash. However, before the arrival of the rescue team from the airport, the locals had rescued the occupants from the wreckage. The occupants were subsequently taken to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola for medical treatment. The accident occurred at dusk. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The Bureau could not conclusively determine the cause of this accident; however, the investigation identified the following factors:
- The pilot was not certified, qualified and not competent to fly the aircraft.
- The decision of the pilot to operate a VFR flight after sunset.
- Inadequate oversight by the Regulatory Authority.
Final Report:

Crash of a Raytheon 390 Premier IA in New Delhi

Date & Time: Sep 22, 2012 at 1129 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-UPN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lucknow - New Delhi
MSN:
RB-236
YOM:
2008
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lucknow Airport in the morning on a flight to New Delhi-Indira Gandhi Airport with a crew of three (two pilot and a cabin crew) and three passengers, among them Shivpal Yadav, Minister by the Uttar Pradesh Government. Following an uneventful flight, the crew completed the approach to runway 27. After touch down, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft slid on runway for about one km when the right main gear collapsed as well. Out of control, the aircraft veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.