Country

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in George

Date & Time: Sep 10, 2004 at 0545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-OLS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bloemfontein – George
MSN:
AC-748B
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2465
Captain / Total hours on type:
657.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8760
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a Domestic Charter flight (IFR) from Bloemfontein Aerodrome to George Aerodrome when the crew elected to execute an ILS approach for landing onto Runway 11. At 1,000 feet from the threshold of Runway 11 with the undercarriage selected down and at full flaps for landing at an IAS of 120kt when he advised the copilot that was the flying pilot at the time, to continue visually with the approach for Runway 11. Shortly thereafter they heard a loud impact sound and the right hand engine failed. The aircraft suddenly yawed and banked severely to the right and the flying pilot commented that they had experienced a bird strike on the right hand engine. The pilot-in-command immediately took over the controls and attempted to arrest the yaw to the right but the aircraft kept yawing to the right. He then made a blind transmission on frequency 118.9 MHz and called for a go-around. The co-pilot then selected full power on both engines retracted the undercarriage, whilst the pilot-in-command feathered the right-hand propeller. According to the pilot-in-command, the aircraft continued to yaw to the right and with the stall aural warning sounding with a loss of altitude, he pulled the left-hand engine stop and feather control and was committed to execute a forced landing on a cattle farm The pilot-in-command stated that aircraft was approximately just outside the boundary fence. Both wings collided with the gum poles of a telephone and wire fence causing extensive damage to the wings and fuselage under-surface. Both occupants sustained no injuries.
Probable cause:
The aircraft encountered a bird strike on the right-hand engine prior to landing at George Aerodrome. It appears that the cockpit crew did not apply the correct procedures for a go-around when the aircraft yawed Severely to the right. The aircraft failed to climb and a forced landing was executed on a cattle farm.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226TC Metro II on Point Lenana: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 2003 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-OYI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Nairobi – Samburu
MSN:
TC-349
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 Nairobi-Wilson Airport at 1558LT on a charter flight to Samburu, carrying 12 passengers (all US citizens) and two pilots. En route, the crew decided to make a tour over the Mt Kenya before continuing to Samburu. While cruising at an altitude of 16,500 feet in clouds, the aircraft struck the eastern slope of Mt Point Lenana (third highest peak of Mt Kenya). The wreckage was found 450 feet below the summit and all 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to maintain horizontal and vertical situational awareness of the aircraft’s proximity to the surrounding terrain.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Unfamiliarity with the airspace and the route in particular and the existence of high ground on the planned flight route,
- Inadequate flight planning by the pilots and distraction of their attention when they were instructed to contact Nanyuki,
- Poor pilot briefing by the Wilson ATC briefing office,
- Poor communication between the air traffic control units,
- Failure of the radar controller to advise the pilot of termination of radar service,
- Lack of a radar system minimum safe altitude warning to the radar controller,
- Poor civil military coordination during transit through the military airspace.