Crash of a Fokker 50 in Nairobi: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 2014 at 0417 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-CET
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Nairobi - Mogadishu
MSN:
20262
YOM:
26
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
14531
Captain / Total hours on type:
6821.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
823
Copilot / Total hours on type:
513
Aircraft flight hours:
27342
Aircraft flight cycles:
26358
Circumstances:
On 2 July 2014, about 01.14 UTC, 5Y-CET, a Fokker F50, an international cargo flight, operated by Skyward International, crashed shortly after takeoff from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, Kenya (JKIA). Instrument Meteorological Conditions prevailed at the time and the airplane was on an instrument flight plan. The four crewmembers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed and consumed by post-crash fire. The destination of the flight was Aden Adee International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia. The airplane was repositioned from its home base at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, the day before. The accident captain (CAPT) and another first officer conducted the repositioning flight. (see Aircraft Information). At JKIA, the airplane was loaded with cargo in preparation for the accident flight. The accident crew consisted of the Capt and FO in addition to a maintenance engineer and loadmaster. According to air traffic control (ATC), the flight plan was filed for duration of 2.5 hours at an altitude of 19,000 feet along with 5 hours of fuel aboard. Based on flight recorder data, the Capt was the pilot-flying and the FO was the pilot-monitoring. The accident flight was reconstructed using data from air traffic control and flight recorder information. According to FDR data, engine start occurred at at 01.50.20. At about 01.10.59 the flight made initial contact with JKIA air traffic control tower and after routine communication, including the confirmation of the number of person and fuel endurance, the flight was cleared for takeoff at 0112.30. At 01.11.58, both engines accelerated to a high power setting with engine no. 1 stabilizing at 78% torque, 100% propeller speed and engine 2 stabilizing at 80% torque, 99% propeller speed. About six seconds later, the Capt indicates “power is set”. About 2 seconds afterwards the Capt indicated “the auto-feather is off, left” and then 5 seconds later, the FO calls out “seven eighty” (?). About 16 seconds after initial engine acceleration was applied, the first of a series of three chimes audio alerts occurred, and continued at 1 second interval throughout the CVR recording. Immediately after the initial chimes, the Capt said “you see” and “how much is that?”. The FO responded “okay niner”. The Capt then asked “it has gotten to?” The FO replied “thirty four thirty ninety two” and shortly afterward “the left one is thirty”. About 24 seconds after initial engine acceleration, engine 1 torque climbs over a period of 2 seconds to a recorded value of 119.9%, the maximum value the recorder is capable of recording. Simultaneously Engine 1 propeller speed falls from 100% to 57%. Other engine shaft speeds remain at approximately their original high power values. Airspeed at the point this change occurs was less than 30 knots. During this period, the FO called out “one twenty two now [pause] torque”. The Capt responded “it is rising eh? The FO then noted “torque one twenty six now”. About 31 seconds after initial engine acceleration, the FO called out “okay speed alive sixty”. About a second later the Capt asked “do we reduce or”? The FO responded “we can just cut”. The Capt inquired “do we abort or continue?” The FO responded, “okay one one twelve and nine four point three” and then “okay one sixteen [pause] ninety four.” The Capt acknowledged “yeah okay” About 47 seconds after initial engine acceleration, the Capt said twice “did I reduce it?”and the FO responded sequentially “yeah” and “okay”] About 52 seconds after initial engine acceleration, the Capt asked “how is it now?” and the FO replied “yeah one oh two [pause] ninety four”. About 7 seconds later the FO called out “okay, one sixteen ninety four”. About 1 minute after initial engine acceleration, the Capt inquired “Is it really going?” The FO replied “one oh one, ninety five”. The Capt acknowledged and shortly afterward he queried “is it going really, is the aircraft really moving”. The FO responded “okay, one oh one, ninety five”. About 4 seconds later, the Capt indicated “it is not giving power” About 1 minute 9 seconds after the initial engine acceleration the FO called out “okay speed has now reached about hundred”. The Capt responded “oh yeah” and immediately afterward the FO called out “okay one eleven, ninety five”. About 1 minute 18 seconds after the initial engine acceleration, the FO indicated “hundred now”. The Capt acknowledged. About 1 minute 26 seconds after the initial engine acceleration, the FO called out “V one V R rotate” About 1 minute 33 seconds after the initial engine acceleration a transition of the airplane from ground to air mode is recorded and the pressure altitude begins to climb along with the Capt immediately afterward expressing two exclamations. Following the transition to air mode there were 51 seconds of flight recorder data before the recording ended. During this time and over a period of about 3 seconds, the FO calls out “positive rate of climb” and the Capt responded “gear up”. About 3 second later, the Capt expressed “it doesn’t have power [pause] it’s on one side.” About 6 seconds afterward, the FO said “we can also turn back”. About 3 seconds later the first of seven “don’t sink” (GPWS aural warning alerts) begins over a period of 23 seconds. After the second GPWS alert the Capt queried “ok, we’re ok?” After the third GPWS alert, the FO said “we can turn back” and the Capt immediately responded “let’s just go”. The FO replied “okay”. After the fifth GPWS alert, the Capt indicated “and this one is showing one fourteen” and then queried? “we can turn back?”. About 2 seconds later, the FO called out “okay speed is one hundred” and the Capt responded “but this one has nothing” About 1 second later and about the time of the sixth GPW alert, JKIA control tower radioed “five yankee charlie echo tango contact radar one two three decimal three. Good morning.” After the seventh GPWS alert the recording ended about 13 seconds later. During this time, the controller called the aircraft again. The Capt expressed “tell him [pause] tell him we have no power”. The last CVR data indicates the FO radioed, “ah tower charlie echo” and the transmission abruptly ended along with simultaneous sounds of distress. According to FDR data, about 15 seconds after the airplane transitioned from ground to air mode the recorded altitude peaked about 5060 feet and accompanied by a maximum airspeed of 100 knots. Along with a variation of airspeed between 90 knots and 100 knots for the remainder of the recording, during the following 20 seconds the altitude decreased to about 5000 feet and then increased to 5050 feet over the next 10 seconds where it remained until the recording ended at 1.14.27. Witness Accounts (Air Traffic Controller Civilians). The aircraft crashed during the hours of darkness at geographical coordinates of 01° 17’16”S, 36° 57’5”E.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the decision by the crew to conduct the flight with a known mechanical problem and their failure to abort or reject the takeoff after receiving twenty seven cautions.
The following findings were identified:
- A three chime alert occurred during the positioning flight from HKNW to HKJK,
- Crew continued with the flight with a known fault,
- No evidence that remedial maintenance action was taken after landing from that flight prior to the event flight,
- No evidence of the anomaly being captured in the aircraft technical log,
- At least one of the occupants during the event flight, possibly the PIC, had been present during the positioning flight and thus was aware of the three chime alert that had occurred then,
- Twenty seven sound of three chime alert event occurred during the take off roll on the accident flight,
- The aforementioned alert occurred well before V1,
- The left engine exhibited high torque values (in excess of 120%) while the left propeller speed was reduced to the range between 45% to 55% rpm for most of the flight,
- Crew continued with take of roll and subsequent rotation despite the twenty seven chime alert,
- When airborne, crew contemplated turning back but eventually elected to continue with the flight,
- Cargo weight exceeded what was indicated in the load sheet 36,
- There was no evidence of any maintenance having been conducted on the aircraft since its Certificate of Airworthiness issue two months previously (9th May 2014).
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B-100 in Guriceel

Date & Time: Aug 25, 2013 at 1604 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-26818
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mogadishu – Guriceel
MSN:
141 01
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
45
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a special flight from Mogadishu to Guriceel, carrying 5 crew members and 45 passengers, among them Hussein Ali Wehliye, the new governor of the Galguduud Province. Following an uneventful flight, the aircraft landed too far down the runway and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and hit a rock which caused the nose gear to collapse and to penetrated the cockpit floor, injuring a crew member. All 49 other occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that, following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. In such situation, the aircraft could not be brought to a safe halt. As the landing maneuver was obviously missed, the crew should initiate a go-around procedure. It was also reported that the aircraft CofA expired 31 May 2012 and that the aircraft was removed from the Armenian registered on 26 Oct 2012.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76T off Entebbe: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2009 at 0515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
S9-SAB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Entebbe - Mogadishu
MSN:
0734 10301
YOM:
1977
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Entebbe Airport runway 17, while climbing by night, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the Lake Victoria, some 10 km south from Entebbe airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 11 occupants were killed, among them 3 Army Officer from Burundi and one Army Officer from Uganda. They were flying to Mogadishu on behalf of the Amisom, the African Union Mission In Somalia. The aircraft was chartered by the US Company Dynacorp to carry tents and water purification equipments.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76TD in Mogadishu: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 2007 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EW-78849
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mogadishu - Djibouti City - Minsk
MSN:
10134 05192
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft was departing Mogadishu on a ferry flight to Minsk with an intermediate stop in Djibouti City, carrying 4 technicians of the operator and 7 crew members who were returning to Belarus after they recovered materials and instruments from another II-76 (EW-78826) that was damaged beyond repair at Mogadishu Airport last March 9. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft was hit by a missile that struck the left wing between both engines n°1 and 2. An explosion occurred and the aircraft caught fire. The crew initiated a turn when the left wing detached and crashed in the sea. Out of control, the aircraft crashed on a beach near the airport, killing all 11 occupants.
Probable cause:
Shot down by rebels located on a boat.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76TD in Mogadishu

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2007 at 0835 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EW-78826
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Entebbe - Mogadiscio
MSN:
10034 99991
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, while flying at an altitude of 120 metres at 3 kilometres from the runway threshold, the aircraft was hit by an RPG, probably fired by rebels from a boat. The projectile hit the left main gear and a fire erupted. The aircraft landed safely and all 15 occupants escaped uninjured. It took about one hour for the only fire-fighting truck available at the airport to reach the plane as it had no fuel. Eventually, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and cannibalized. One week later, some technicians of the Belarus operator returned to Mogadishu to recover pieces and material from the aircraft. On departure, another II-76 from the same operator was hit by a missile and destroyed.
Probable cause:
Damaged beyond repair after being shot down.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E3 near Mwingi: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 23, 2004 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-VVD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nairobi - Mogadishu
MSN:
87 20 09
YOM:
1987
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Nairobi-Wilson Airport on a cargo flight to Mogadishu, carrying two pilots and a load of 1,500 kilos of khat. About an hour into the flight, while in cruising altitude, the aircraft collided with a second Let L-410UVP also operated by Bluebird Aviation and registered 5Y-VVA. While the crew of 5Y-VVA was able to complete an emergency landing and the aircraft suffered small damages, 5Y-VVD entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed 30 km south of Mwingi, killing both pilots.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E off Djibouti City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 2002 at 1802 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
J2-KBC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mogadishu – Djibouti City
MSN:
91 25 37
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Mogadishu, the crew started the descent to Djibouti City-Ambouli Airport. While the runway 09 was in use, the crew was cleared for an approach to runway 27. While completing a last turn to the left to join the glide, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in the sea. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air near Nairobi: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1998
Registration:
5Y-JKB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nairobi - Mogadishu
MSN:
BB-72
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while flying in thick fog, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located about 50 km north of Nairobi. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-8 in Mogadishu

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EL-ALE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1L3460
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Mogadishu Airport, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in unknown circumstances. All four crew members were injured.

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream GI in Mogadishu

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1998 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-BMR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nairobi - Mogadishu
MSN:
081
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Mogadishu Airport, the propeller on the right engine went into fine pitch. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and its tail before coming to rest, broken in two. All 23 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.