Crash of a De Havilland Dash-8-Q402 in Aalborg

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2007 at 1557 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LN-RDK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Copenhagen - Aalborg
MSN:
4025
YOM:
2000
Flight number:
SK1209
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
69
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6540
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1085
Aircraft flight hours:
12141
Aircraft flight cycles:
14795
Circumstances:
The accident flight was a scheduled domestic flight from Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (EKCH) to Aalborg Airport (EKYT). The flight was uneventful until the landing gear was selected down during the approach to EKYT runway 26R. The nose landing gear and the left main landing gear (MLG) indicated down and locked. The right MLG indicated “in transit” (not down and locked). The Aalborg Tower was informed about the problem with the right MLG indication. A go-around was initiated at 1100 feet MSL with a climb towards 2000 ft. The flight crew consulted the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). An alternate landing gear procedure was initiated. The right MLG indication remained in “transit”. A mayday call was made to Aalborg Tower and they were informed about the unsafe landing gear. The flight crew reset the alternate gear extension system and subsequently they tried to make a normal gear up selection. The nose landing gear and the left MLG retracted normally, however the right main landing gear indication remained in “transit”. A second attempt to use the alternate landing gear extension procedure was performed without any changes to the right MLG indication. The aircraft entered a holding pattern in order to reduce the amount of fuel and at the same time to brief the passengers about the situation and to prepare the passengers for an emergency landing. Passengers seated at rows 6, 7 and 8 seats D and F were reseated away from the right propeller area. During the approach the flaps were selected to 10° and the landing gear horn started. The warning horn continued throughout the remaining flight. During the emergency landing the left MLG touched down on the runway first, followed by the right MLG. Shortly after the right MLG contacted the runway the right MLG collapsed. The aircraft departed the runway to the right and came to rest on a heading of 340° at 1357:26 hrs.
Probable cause:
There were five factors’ leading to the accident:
1. There were no specified inspection tasks for inspection of the MLG retraction/extension actuator and rod end either in the MRB’s report or in the Maintenance Requirement Manual in so far as “L”, “A” and “C” checks.
2. The right and left MLG retraction/extension actuator piston and rod end were made of noble martensitic stainless steel and the less noble 4340 steel material, respectively.
3. Severe corrosion in the threaded connection between the right MLG actuator rod and rod end.
4. Separation of the right MLG retraction/extension actuator from the actuator piston rod end.
5. The right MLG stabilizer joint lugs failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-87 in Milan: 114 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 2001 at 0810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SE-DMA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Milan - Copenhagen
MSN:
53009
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
SK686
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
104
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
110
Captain / Total flying hours:
5842
Captain / Total hours on type:
232.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4355
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1978
Aircraft flight hours:
25573
Aircraft flight cycles:
16562
Circumstances:
A brand new Cessna 525A CitationJet 2, D-IEVX, arrived at Milan-Linate following a flight from Köln. The Cessna was to carry out a return flight to Paris-Le Bourget, carrying two pilots, a Cessna sales manager and a prospective customer. The plane arrived at 06:59 and was taxied to the General aviation apron, also known as 'West apron'. It was a foggy morning at Milan and one of the passenger flights parked on the North apron was SAS MD-87 "Lage Viking" which was being prepared for flight SK686 to Copenhagen, scheduled to depart at 07:35. At 07:41, the pilot of the MD-87 contacted Linate Ground Control for his engine start clearance, as the boarding of 104 passengers had been completed. The Ground controller cleared the pilot to start engines and advised that the slot time for takeoff of the flight was at 08:16. Thirteen minutes later flight 686 was cleared to taxi to runway 36R: "Scandinavian 686 taxi to the holding position Cat III, QNH 1013 and please call me back entering the main taxiway." A few minutes later, the Cessna pilot requested permission to start the engines. The ground controller then gave start-up clearance. The ground controller then requested flight 686 to contact the Tower controller. From this moment on the crew of the MD-87 and the crew of the Cessna were tuned on two different radio frequencies. At 08:05 the pilots of the Cessna received taxi clearance: "Delta Victor Xray taxi north via Romeo 5, QNH 1013, call me back at the stop bar of the ... main runway extension." The pilot acknowledged by saying: "Roger via Romeo 5 and ... 1013, and call you back before reaching main runway." The Cessna started to taxi from the General Aviation parking position, following the yellow taxi line. After reaching the position where the yellow taxi line splits into two diverging directions, the pilot erroneously took the taxi line to right and entered taxiway R6. At 08:09 the Ground controller cleared the Cessna to continue its taxi on the North apron. At the same time the Tower controller cleared the MD-87 for takeoff: "...Scandinavian 686 Linate, clear for take off 36, the wind is calm report rolling, when airborne squawk ident." The pilot advanced the throttles and acknowledged the clearance: "Clear for takeoff 36 at when...airborne squawk ident and we are rolling, Scandinavian 686." When the MD-87 was speeding down the runway, the Cessna crossed the runway holding sign and entered the active runway 18L/36R. At 08.10:21 the nose landing gear of the MD-87 had left the ground and main gears were extending the shock absorbers but the main wheels were still on the ground at an airspeed of 146 knots (270,5 km/h). At that moment the MD-87 crew probably saw a glimpse of the Cessna through the fog and reacted with additional large nose-up elevator. At that moment the MD-87 collided with the CitationJet. The right wing of the MD-87 sustained damage at the leading edge and the right hand main landing gear leg broke off. It damaged the right flap and struck the no. 2 engine which then separated from the pylon. The pilot of the MD-87 gradually advanced the throttles and then the aircraft was airborne for a total of 12 seconds, reaching an estimated height of about 35 feet (11 meters). The left hand engine suffered a noticeable thrust reduction as a result of debris ingestion, which became insufficient to sustain flight. The airspeed had increased up to 166 knots (307,6 km/h), but the MD-87 descended abruptly making contact with the runway with the left hand maingear, the truncated right hand maingear leg and the tip of the right hand wing. Prior to touch down the pilot reduced engine thrust and after ground contact the engine reverse levers were activated and deployed (on the left hand engine only). Maximum available reverse thrust was selected and the brakes applied. The plane skidded past the grass overrun area, across a service road, crashing sideways into a baggage handling building, which partly collapsed. This building was located 20 m/67 feet to the right of the runway, and 460 m/1500 feet from the runway end.
Probable cause:
After analysis of evidence available and information gathered, it can be assumed that the immediate cause for the accident has been the runway incursion in the active runway by the Cessna. The obvious consideration is that the human factor related action of the Cessna crew - during low visibility conditions - must be weighted against the scenario that allowed the course of events that led to the fatal collision; equally it can be stated that the system in place at Milano Linate airport was not geared to trap misunderstandings, let alone inadequate procedures, blatant human errors and faulty airport layout.
The following list highlights immediate and systemic causes that led to the accident:
- The visibility was low, between 50 and 100 meters;
- The traffic volume was high;
- The lack of adequate visual aids;
- The Cessna crew used the wrong taxiway and entered the runway without specific clearance;
- The failure to check the Cessna crew qualification;
- The nature of the flight might have exerted a certain pressure on the Cessna crew to commence the flight despite the prevailing weather conditions;
- The Cessna crew was not aided properly with correct publications (AIP Italy - Jeppesen), lights (red bar lights and taxiway lights), markings (in deformity with standard format and unpublished, S4) and signs (non existing, TWY R6) to enhance their situational awareness;
- Official documentation failing to report the presence of unpublished markings (S4, S5, etc) that were unknown to air traffic controllers, thus preventing the ATC controller from interpreting the unambiguous information from the Cessna crew, a position report mentioning S4;
- Operational procedures allowing high traffic volume (high number of ground movements) in weather conditions as were current the day of the accident (reduced visibility) and in the absence of technical aids;
- Radio communications were not performed using standard phraseology (read back) or were not consistently adhered to (resulting in untraced misunderstandings in relevant radio communications);
- Radio communications were performed in Italian and English language;
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel did not realize that Cessna was on taxiway R6;
- The ground controller issued a taxi clearance towards Main apron although the reported position S4 did not have any meaning to him;
- Instructions, training and the prevailing environmental situation prevented the ATC personnel from having full control over the aircraft movements on ground.
Furthermore:
- The aerodrome standard did not comply with ICAO Annex 14; required markings, lights and signs did either not exist (TWY R6) or were in dismal order and were hard to recognize especially under low visibility conditions (R5-R6), other markings were unknown to operators (S4);
- No functional Safety Management System was in operation;
- The competence maintenance and requirements for recent experience for ATC personnel did not fully comply with ICAO Annex 1;
- The LVO implementation by ENAV (DOP 2/97) did not conform with the requirements provided in the corresponding and referenced ICAO DOC 4976.
The combined effect of these factors, contemporaneously present on the 8th of October 2001 at Milano Linate, have neutralized any possible error corrective action and therefore allowed the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-81 in Gottröra

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1991 at 0851 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OY-KHO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Stockholm - Copenhagen - Warsaw
MSN:
53003
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
SK751
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
123
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8020
Captain / Total hours on type:
590.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3015
Copilot / Total hours on type:
76
Aircraft flight hours:
1608
Aircraft flight cycles:
1272
Circumstances:
The MD-81 arrived from Zurich at 22:09 and was parked at gate 2 overnight with temperatures of around +1 deg. C. Approx. 2550 kg of fuel remained in each wing tank. The aircraft was scheduled to leave Stockholm for Copenhagen at 08:30 and the temperature had dropped to -0 deg C in the early morning. During the night and in the early morning clear ice had formed on the upper side of the wings, but this was not detected by the ground crew member who checked the forward part of the wing. The aircraft was fuelled with 1400 kg of fuel and was ready for de-icing at 08:30, which was done using 850l of Type I fluid. After de-icing the mechanic didn't check whether there was any clear ice on the upper side of the wings, since he had previously found none. The flight was then cleared to taxi to runway 08 and the aircraft took off at 08:47. After 25 seconds (at 1124 feet height) bangs, vibrations and jerks were perceived in the aircraft. This was caused by a no. 2 engine surge. The engine was throttled down a little, but throttle control simultaneously changed to an automatic mode which increased throttle setting with altitude (Automatic Thrust Restoration - ATR). This in turn increased the intensity of the surging. The no. 1 engine surged 39 seconds later, but this was not noticed by the flight crew. An attempt to switch on the autopilot at 2616 feet failed. At 76 resp. 78 seconds into the flight both the no. 2 and no. 1 engine failed after breakup of the stage 1 stators of both engines (initiated by high loads from the surges). The aircraft was climbing through 3206 feet at that moment with a 196 KIAS. A no. 1 engine fire warning at 91 seconds into the flight made the crew activate the fire extinguishing system. A SAS captain traveling the passenger cabin realized that there were problems and hurried to the cockpit to assist the flight crew. The aircraft was in a gliding left turn at that moment. When descending through 420 m, still in the clouds, the assisting captain gradually extended the flaps. The flaps were fully extended at 1100 feet (340 m) and the plane broke through the clouds at 980-820 feet. A field in the direction of flight was chosen for an emergency landing. The wheels were selected down and Stockholm control was informed about the imminent crash-landing. The MD-81 contacted trees at 121 knots and a major portion of the right wing broke off. The plane then struck sloping ground tail-first and slid along the ground for 110 m. The fuselage was broken into three pieces, but there was no fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by SAS' instructions and routines being inadequate to ensure that clear ice was removed from the wings of the aircraft prior to takeoff. Hence the aircraft took off with clear ice on the wings. In connection with lift-off, the clear ice loosened and was ingested by the engines. The ice caused damage to the engine fan stages, which led to engine surges. The surges destroyed the engines. Contributory causes were: The pilots were not trained to identify and eliminate engine surging; ATR-which was unknown within SAS - was activated and increased the engine power without the pilot's knowledge.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226TC Metro II in Copenhagen

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1991 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OY-BZW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
TC-328
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport runway 22L, the right engine failed. The crew was able to feather the right propeller but the nose gear failed to deploy. Manual recycling was ineffective and the crew continued the approach. The aircraft landed on its nose, rolled for few dozen meters and came to rest on the main runway. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine caused by the failure of the turbine assembly retention guide vane. This caused a reduction of the hydraulic pressure, preventing the nose gear to be lowered.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Aarhus: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1987
Operator:
Registration:
OY-BGK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Copenhagen - Aarhus
MSN:
31-7305019
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching Aarhus-Tirstrup Airport on a positioning flight from Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a field located 3,5 km east of the airport. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air off Copenhagen

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
G-BKID
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luton - Copenhagen
MSN:
LJ-604
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Copenhagen-Kastrup following a positioning flight from Luton, both engines failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea about 4 km offshore. The pilot, sole on board, was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on approach for unknown reasons.

Ground fire of a Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV in Copenhagen

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1982 at 1811 LT
Operator:
Registration:
OY-AUI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Stauning - Copenhagen
MSN:
AT-015
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
DX386
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
2395
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing flight DX386 from Stauning to Copenhagen. It departed Stauning at 1724LT with 13 passengers and a crew of two on board. During approach to runway 22L at Kastrup Airport, the captain noticed a faint smell of burnt insulation and asked the copilot if he could smell anything "hot". The copilot who could not confirm the smell was asked by the captain to turn the cabin temperature - which was operated in manual mode - towards cold. The captain checked indication and warning systems for generators, batteries, circuit breakers and continued the approach. After a normal approach and landing at 18:07 hours the aircraft was cleared to the parking area via taxiway two and to change frequency to Apron Tower when clear of the runway. After contact with Apron Tower instructions were received for taxi to parking via taxiway two and inner perimeter but one minute later new instructions were received to taxi via runway three zero. While taxiing the left engine was shut down as is normal company procedure and taxiing continued on the right engine. Suddenly the captain noticed a flash outside the aircraft. The captain's first thought was that fire had started in the left engine or in the brakes and he brought the aircraft to a halt to investigate. Very shortly after a flash fire erupted in the left hand cockpit side console aft of and close to the captain's left leg. The crew made no radio transmissions about the fire since all electrical power was immediately turned off, in accordance with emergency procedure, after the aircraft was brought to a stop. The captain shouted towards the cabin: "It is burning, out". The passengers and crew then vacated the aircraft. The accident occurred at or about 18:11 hours on runway 30 during darkness. All 15 occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
An intense fire had erupted in the aft end of the left hand cockpit side console/ originating from an electrical short to ground. Contributing to the intensity of the fire was escaping oxygen under 70 PSI pressure through a melted PVC oxygen tube.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Copenhagen

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
OY-AZA
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LJ-593
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Copenhagen-Kastrup, the crew encountered technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the twin engine airplane crashed 500 meters short of runway threshold, lost its undercarriage and both wings and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 600 in Vágar

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OY-APD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Copenhagen - Vágar
MSN:
10437
YOM:
1970
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
9122
Aircraft flight cycles:
5834
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 31 and a course of 950 metres, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway to the left and came to rest against an embankment located 85 metres to the left of the runway. All 26 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported the aircraft landed with a 9 knots crosswind and a 6 knots tailwind component. Also, the runway was covered with water and ice at the time of the accident.