Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP in Trier: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 2014 at 1152 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N452TS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Shoreham - Trier
MSN:
501-0231
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4800
Captain / Total hours on type:
32.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1350
Copilot / Total hours on type:
550
Aircraft flight hours:
4282
Aircraft flight cycles:
4413
Circumstances:
On Friday, 10 January 2014, the airplane had flown from Trier to Shoreham, where it landed at 1456 UTC. Two pilots and two passengers were on board the aircraft. Over the weekend, the passengers wanted to participate in a hunt. On the afternoon of 11 January 2014 the PIC told the service provider, tasked by the aircraft owner with the flight planning, to prepone the scheduled return flight on Sunday, 12 January 2014, from 1400 UTC to 1015 UTC. In the ATC flight plan Trier-Föhren Airfield was the destination aerodrome and Luxembourg Airport the alternate aerodrome. According to the flight plan the change of flight rules from IFR to VFR was to occur at reporting point PITES. The handling agent at Shoreham Airport stated that the PIC and the co-pilot had arrived on Sunday at 0850 UTC. The airport made the recordings of a video camera for apron surveillance available to the BFU. These recordings show that the airplane was refuelled in the presence of the pilots. The two passengers arrived at 0936 UTC and about 11 minutes later the aircraft taxied from the apron. At 1000 UTC, the airplane took off from runway 20. At 1138:25 hrs, the co-pilot established contact with Langen Radar. At that time the airplane was in Flight Level (FL) 170. At 1142:51 hrs, after the airplane had descended to FL140, the controller issued the descent clearance to FL70. Approximately one minute later the controller said: "… proceed direct destination again and descend altitude five thousand feet … Spangdahlem QNH one zero two five." The pilot in command acknowledged the clearance. At 1145:23 hrs the PIC said: "… standing by for cancelling IFR." The controller answered: "... roger, IFR is cancelled at one zero two five, your position is one five miles northwest of your destination airfield, squawk VFR, approved to leave." According to radar data, the airplane was approximately in FL90 and continued to fly with a southern heading. At 1147:26 hrs, about 5 NM east of the omnidirectional radio beacon Nattenheim (VOR NTM), the altitude was 4,900 ft AMSL. According to the radar data at 1148:10 hrs the airplane had reached 3,500 ft AMSL. The flight path continued east until 1149 hrs when, in the area of the city of Wittlich in an altitude of 3,500 ft AMSL, the airplane turned right. The ground speed was approximately 180 kt. In the course of the right turn until 1150:30 hrs, the altitude decreased further to about 2,800 ft AMSL and the ground speed to about 160 kt. At 1151:10 hrs the aircraft turned left maintaining altitude until it had reached a southern heading. From 1151:30 hrs on it continued to descend. At the time the airplane was approximately 6.7 NM from the runway threshold and about 0.5 NM north of the extended runway centre line. Approximately 15 seconds later it reached the extended runway centre line of runway 22 while it turned right into the final approach direction. It was in about 2,300 ft AMSL and approximately 5.7 NM from the runway. From 1152:20 hrs on, at approximately 4.6 NM from the threshold, the aircraft began to leave the extended runway centre line to the south. At that time, altitude was approximately 1,600 ft AMSL and ground speed about 160 kt. The last radar target was recorded at 1152:40 hrs with an altitude indication of approximately 1,300 ft AMSL and a ground speed of about 140 kt. The attention of several witnesses, located about 600 m north-east and south-east, respectively, of the accident site in the valley of the river Salm, was drawn to the airplane by engine noise. They congruently stated that the aircraft had come from the direction of the town Esch and flown in low altitude, below the fog or cloud cover, toward the south-west. One of the witnesses estimated the altitude was 15 to 20 m above the trees bordering the river Salm, approximately the same height as the open wire located in the area. According to congruent witnesses’ statements, the engine thrust was increased and the airplane pulled up shortly before reaching a wooded escarpment rising by about 60 m, banked left and disappeared in the fog. Immediately afterwards fire had become visible and impact noises had been heard. The airplane impacted the ground in an inverted position. The occupants suffered fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. The Flugleiter (A person required by German regulation at uncontrolled aerodromes to provide aerodrome information service to pilots) at Trier-Fohren Airfield stated, that on the morning of the accident day, at about 1010 hrs, he had received a phone call from the PIC. During the call the arrival of the airplane had been announced for 1230 hrs. The Flugleiter had informed the PIC about the severe fog prevailing at the airfield. He had also told him that, if at all, he expected visibility would increase after 1330 or 1400 hrs. After the phone conversation the Flugleiter assumed, that the airplane would fly to another airport. According to statements by the PIC’s wife, she had talked with her husband on the landline and then witnessed the PIC’s phone conversation on his mobile phone with the passenger, where he was asked to prepone the return flight to late morning. An unexpected appointment of the passengers was named as reason for the wish. During a phone conversation prior to departure her husband had explained that he had talked with Trier Airfield and learned that fog was prevailing there and one would fly either to Hahn or Luxembourg. The son of the passengers stated at the police that on the morning of the day of the accident his father had called him. He had told him that the airplane would probably land at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. He stated that for his parents there was no deadline pressure. He said, that for him it is “völlig unvorstellbar (entirely inconceivable)” that his father would pressure the pilot to fly to Trier. In the past deviation to another airport had often been the case. It had never been a problem.
Probable cause:
The accident was due to the following:
- The Pilot in Command (PIC) decided to conduct the VFR approach even though he was aware of the prevailing instrument weather conditions at the airport,
- It is likely that a wrong vertical profile was flown due to an erroneous selection on the navigation system,
- Due to an insufficient situational awareness of the pilots the descent was not aborted in time.
The following factors contributed to the accident:
- Insufficient Crew Resource Management (CRM).
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in Bad Vöslau: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 2008 at 1204 LT
Registration:
N403HP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Shoreham – Bad Vöslau
MSN:
46-36312
YOM:
2000
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Shoreham on a flight to Hungary with an intermediate stop in Bad Vöslau near Vienna, to pick up a passenger before continuing to Hungary. On approach to Bad Vöslau Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to fog when the aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area near the airfield. The pilot, sole onboard, was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Oxford

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1989 at 1108 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-AJHO
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oxford - Shoreham
MSN:
6835
YOM:
1947
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3136
Captain / Total hours on type:
68.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 20 at Oxford-Kidlington Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 1,500 feet, the pilot reduced engine power when the right engine failed. He informed ATC at Oxford Airport and was cleared to return. Shortly later, the right engine caught fire and the pilot attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a soft ground about 8 km south of the airport, bursting into flames. The pilot escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine following the failure of the 4th cylinder in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 2A in Shoreham-by-Sea: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1983 at 1005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
G-AMYP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Shoreham-by-Sea - Shoreham-by-Sea
MSN:
04421
YOM:
1953
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
602
Captain / Total hours on type:
13.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, also owner of the aircraft, elected to make a post-engine change test flight himself. After takeoff from Shoreham-by-Sea Airport runway 07 in good weather, eye-witnesses considered that the take-off and initial climb were normal except that intermittent puffs of dark smoke were seen coming from the right engine. At about 600 feet above ground level the aircraft was seen to roll to the right then turn on to its back and spin to the ground. After a short pause the aircraft burst into flames and was largely consumed by an intense fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft impacted with the sloping side of the west flood bank of the River Adur. At impact the aircraft was 60° nose down, rolled to the right, and was yawing to the right. Both engines were rotating, with the left engine developing more power than the right. Detailed wreckage examination at the AIB engineering facility at Farnborough showed that the rudder was approximately fully left and the elevator fully up. Engine strip examination yielded no evidence of any pre-crash defect in the left engine, but severe corrosion was found in the fuel control boost capsule (Part n° CH 90274) of the right engine. Tests were carried out on an engine test bed to examine the effects of boost capsule perforation. It was found that such a fault would induce power fluctuations, and that the engine could experience a rich cut when the throttle was retarded. Research into previous incidents on the same type of aircraft revealed two occasions during which fluctuating boost and rpm had been experienced after take-off and later attributed to boost capsule perforation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Partenavia P.68B Victor in Orsett

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-BEXM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shoreham - Southend
MSN:
111
YOM:
1977
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Shoreham to Southend, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons. The twin engine airplane crash landed in Orsett, Essex. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Hurel-Dubois/Miles HDM.105 Aerovan in Shoreham

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1958
Registration:
G-AHDM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shoreham - Shoreham
MSN:
105/1009
YOM:
1957
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The HDM 105 was a "Proof of Concept" aircraft for the proposed M106 family of Light Transport Aircraft. It was created by replacing the wooden wing of a standard M57 Aerovan (G-AJOF) with a high aspect ratio wing designed by Hurel-Dubois. As such, it first flew on 3 March 1957 piloted by George Miles and Ian Forbes, the latter doing most of the flight testing. The aircraft was severely damaged in a landing accident at Shoreham on 28 June 1958 when it stalled on landing and the tail boom cracked at the hinge line for the rear door. The aircraft was taxied to the hangar with the pilot unaware that the empennage was dragging along the ground. Subsequently, the Hurel-Dubois wings were removed and put in storage, and the wooden remains of G-AHDM disposed of at Shoreham in 1958-59.

Crash of a Dornier DO.17Z in Shoreham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1940 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F1+FS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2361
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was attacked by the pilots of two Spitfires and crashed at Castle Farm by Shoreham. A crew died and three other became PoW.
Crew:
Fw Heitsch, pilot,
Fw Pfeiffer, observer,
Fw Stephan Schmidt, wireless operator, †
Fw Sauter, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a British fighter.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth off Shoreham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ABBW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Shoreham - Shoreham
MSN:
1277
YOM:
1930
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Shoreham on a local private flight. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Shoreham. The pilot was seriously injured but he died the following day due to injuries sustained.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth off Shoreham

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AALX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brooklands – Shoreham
MSN:
1410
YOM:
1930
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Shoreham, at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed into the sea. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly in Shoreham

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1937
Operator:
Registration:
G-AEEK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Heston – Shoreham
MSN:
7518
YOM:
1936
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was owned by Sir William Firth but this day piloted by Ken Firth and Jimmy Gunn. On approach to Shoreham Aerodrome, the aircraft was too low and collided with an 11,000 volts power line. It stalled and crashed in a field in Upper Beeding, some 3 km north of the airfield. Both occupants evacuated the cabin and were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.