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Crash of an Embraer ERJ-190-100AR in Cuenca

Date & Time: Apr 28, 2016 at 0751 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-COX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Quito – Cuenca
MSN:
190-00372
YOM:
2010
Flight number:
EQ173
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
87
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
17523
Captain / Total hours on type:
2113.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3545
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2077
Aircraft flight hours:
11569
Aircraft flight cycles:
9707
Circumstances:
Following en uneventful flight from Quito, the crew initiated the descent to Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport Runway 23. Weather conditions at destination were poor with rain falls and a contaminated runway. The pilot-in-command continued the approach below the glide and the aircraft passed over the runway threshold at a height of 37 feet instead the recommended 50 feet. The airplane landed 277 metres past the runway threshold at a speed of 127 knots and the crew activated the spoilers and the reverse thrust systems. Due to poor braking action, the captain activated the autobrake system, without success. As the aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining distance, the captain intentionally turn to the right when the aircraft ground looped, overran and came to rest in a grassy area. All 93 occupants were rescued, among them two passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The condition of the runway at Cuenca airport, which at the time of the plane's landing was contaminated with water and slippery.
- The landing was made after a non-stabilized approach with a tailwind.
- During seven seconds, the crew continued the approach with an excessive rate of descent of 1,186 feet, 186 feet above the limit of 1,000 feet.
- The non-application of the Maximum Performance Landing procedure recommended by the aircraft manufacturer for landing on contaminated runways.
- The dispatch of the flight with 1,500 kg of fuel more than the amount of fuel usually used for this flight.
- Omission of the runway length calculation necessary to perform the landing using the braking efficiency information.
- The crew's decision to make the final approach with three red and one white lights, using the PAPI system, induced by the information in the Terminal Information document issued by the company, which authorized this procedure.
- The use of confusing terminology in the Terminal Information document, which used terms applicable to the Airbus fleet, instead of Embraer's.
- The crew's decision not to perform the thwarted approach maneuver after the maximum allowable vertical speed was exceeded and visibility was apparently limited after the minima were exceeded.
- Incorrect use of aircraft braking aids, in this case reverse braking aids
- The application of the emergency brake that inhibits the antiskid system.
- Lack of implementation of adequate management of crew resources, particularly within the cockpit.
- Lack of training in the use of tables for track distance calculation.
- In reference to landing conditions, the aircraft needed a runway length of 2,122 metres while the available distance was 1,900 metres.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Cuenca: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 2006 at 1102 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BXD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Cuenca – Macas
MSN:
208B-0591
YOM:
1997
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11250
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8007
Aircraft flight hours:
5736
Aircraft flight cycles:
10332
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 05 at Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the engine failed. The airplane lost height, causing the nose wheel to struck the roof of a building. Out of control, the aircraft crashed onto a building occupied by a rubber company. Five passengers were killed while nine other occupants were seriously injured. There were no injuries on the ground. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Investigations revealed that one or more blades located on the turbine compressor failed as a result of deformation due to excessive high temperatures. It was also reported that the company's maintenance failed to follow the engine maintenance program that had not been inspected in accordance with the procedures published by the engine manufacturer. The Hot Section Inspection (HSI) should be performed at 3,600 flight hours but the airplane accumulated 200 additional hours since without the required checks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-2V2 in Cuenca: 119 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1983 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BIG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Quito - Cuenca
MSN:
22607
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
111
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
119
Circumstances:
On final approach to Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames near the district of Gaullum, about 2 km short of runway 05 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 119 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the flying crew continued the approach below the glide without proper visual contact with the ground. A lack of experience was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Vickers 828 Viscount in Cuenca

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-ATV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Guayaquil – Cuenca
MSN:
458
YOM:
1962
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane landed long on runway 23 with an excessive speed. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure but the captain realized he could not stop the aircraft on the remaining distance. Thus he elected to steer the aircraft to the right of the runway. The right main gear dug into soft ground, causing the right wing to struck the ground as well as both right engines n°3 and 4. There were considerable structural damages to the right wing and right engines so the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Vickers 764D Viscount in Cuenca: 24 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BEM
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Cuenca
MSN:
183
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The crew filed an IFR flight plan from Guayaquil to Cuenca. After passing over the city of Puna, he decided to cancel the flight plan and continued under VFR mode. While descending to Cuenca, pilots encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 24 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Following several negligences, the crew started the descent prematurely under VFR mode in clouds, causing the aircraft to continue below the minimum prescribed altitude until it struck the mountain (controlled flight into terrain).

Crash of a Vickers 764D Viscount near Cuenca: 33 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BCL
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Cuenca
MSN:
185
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
While descending to Cuenca-Mariscal Lamar Airport in poor weather conditions, the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Cajas Mountain Range, about 40 km north of the intended destination. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 33 occupants were killed. The accident occurred in IMC conditions while the crew was approaching Cuenca Airport under VFR mode.
Probable cause:
The crew was flying VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Vickers 798D Viscount in Cuenca

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-ART
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Quito – Cuenca
MSN:
288
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Cuenca Airport, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.