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Crash of a Swearingen SA227AT Expediter in Luqa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 2016 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N577MX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Luqa - Luqa
MSN:
AT-577
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
LXC77
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
3511
Captain / Total hours on type:
1229.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
21806
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2304
Aircraft flight hours:
9261
Aircraft flight cycles:
3503
Circumstances:
The aircraft was involved in a maritime patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea, carrying a crew of two and three members of the French Ministry of Defense. Shortly after takeoff from runway 13, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft banked to the right, hit a perimeter fence and crashed in a huge explosion on the Triq Carmelo Caruana Street. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All five occupants were killed. It was previously reported that the flight was performed on behalf of the EU Frontex Program but this was later denied by the Border Agency. The presence of all three French Officers was confirmed by the French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian. It was also confirmed by the Government of Malta that this kind of flight was performed by the French Customs since five months, an official operation of surveillance to identify human traffic and narcotics routes in the Mediterranean Sea.
Probable cause:
Investigations show that a technical malfunction was the cause of the accident. This malfunction probably originated in the specific modifications of the aircraft and in the application of an inappropriate maintenance to these modifications.
Three scenarios can be envisaged:
- Rupture of the HF antenna, which then wrapped around the elevator control surface;
- Inadvertent activation of the SAS, countered by the pilot;
- Jamming of the elevator due to a technical failure in the flight control line.
Given the condition of the wreckage and the absence of witness reports from the crew, only a flight data recorder could have enabled the BEA-É to confirm one of these hypothesis. However, in consideration of the factors detailed in the analysis, the hypothesis of damage to a component of the elevator control line remains the most plausible explanation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 100 in Vahun

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LX-UGO
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1945
YOM:
1975
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Vahun Airfield, at a height of 40 feet and at a speed of 77 knots, the twin engine aircraft adopted a high sink rate. The captain increased engine power when the aircraft rolled to the right, collided with trees and crashed few hundred metres short of runway. All 13 occupants were rescued and the aircraft was destroyed.