Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 2010 at 1405 LT
Operator:
Registration:
TG-JYM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tegucigalpa – La Mesa
MSN:
421B-0403
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Three minutes after takeoff from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader in Punta Ocote: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 2009 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4324-G
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
303-00019
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Sole on board, the pilot was performing an illegal flight with a bag containing 25 kg of cocaine. While trying to land on a private airstrip in Punta Ocote, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed on a road, killing an 18 years old motorcyclist. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot escaped uninjured.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Las Minas

Date & Time: Oct 9, 2009
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV1769
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
AJE001-02
YOM:
1995
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was damaged beyond repair during a landing in the area of Las Minas while engaged in an illegal contraband flight. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A load of 4 tons of cocaine was found on board.

Crash of a BAe 3212 Jetstream 32 in Útila: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 2009 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV1467
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
927
YOM:
1991
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While cruising in bad weather conditions, the crew apparently lost his orientation and decided to divert to Útila Airport. On approach, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area. A pilot was killed while both other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. A load of 1,500 kilos of cocaine was found in the cabine.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach due to fuel exhaustion. Illegal flight.

Crash of an Airbus A320-233 in Tegucigalpa: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 2008 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EI-TAF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Salvador – Tegucigalpa – Miami
MSN:
1374
YOM:
2000
Flight number:
TA390
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
118
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11899
Captain / Total hours on type:
8514.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1607
Copilot / Total hours on type:
250
Aircraft flight hours:
21957
Aircraft flight cycles:
9992
Circumstances:
A TACA Airlines Airbus A320, flight TA390, with Irish Registry EI-TAF, with 135 passengers and crew on board, overran at the end of the runway during landing at Tegucigalpa caused the deaths of three people on board and two on the ground. The government of Honduras delegated the conduct of investigation to the Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authorities, as provided for in Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. In accordance with international agreements, France sent two investigators from the BEA (Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses), accompanied by five technical advisors from Airbus; United States sent two investigators from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), accompanied by one advisor from FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and one technical Advisor from IAE (International Aero Engine); and Ireland sent one investigator. Both flight recorders (CVR and DFDR) were recovered and taken to the NTSB in order to perform the read out. The following data result from the analysis done by the BEA and Airbus of the accident recorders, which have been processed within the NTSB facilities under the leadership of the in-charge Authorities. It is confirmed that the aircraft was dispatched without any deferred MEL item. Prior to landing, the wind information given by the ATC to the crew was 190°/10kt and ATC also confirmed that the runway was wet. The Captain was the Pilot Flying (PF). Landing configuration was established with Slats/Flaps fully extended, gear down, ground spoilers armed, autobrake selected to MED. The aircraft landing weight was 63.5t (max landing weight 64.5t), Vapp 137kt. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 02 and landed with Autopilot and Flight Directors OFF, and autothrust engaged in managed speed mode. At time of touch down, IAS was 139kt and Ground Speed (GS) was 159kt (estimated tailwind was 12kt from DFDR data analysis). The aircraft landed on runway 02 (Runway 02 is 3297 feet high and has a displaced threshold of 213m). The Landing Distance Available (LDA) for runway 02 is of 1649m. The touch down occurred at approximately 400m from the runway 02 displaced threshold. Immediately after touchdown, the crew selected MAX REV, and both engine reversers and the Ground Spoilers (G/S) deployed normally. The nosewheel touch down occurred 7s after the Main Landing Gear (MLG) following PF inputs. The crew applied manual braking 4s after MLG touch down and commanded maximum pedal braking in 10s (14s after MLG touch down). At 70 knots Indicated Airspeed Speed (IAS), upon Pilot Non Flying (PNF) call-out, the PF selected IDLE REV. The remaining distance to the runway end was approximately 190m. The aircraft overran the runway at 54kt and dropped down the 20 m embankment sustaining severe damage on impact with the ground. The landing performance analysis confirms that the landing performances are consistent with runway condition and crew actions.
Probable cause:
Contributing factors:
- Wrong approach configuration,
- Excessive speed upon landing,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway with a tailwind component,
- On approach, the crew failed to recalculate the aircraft weight for landing and the landing distance,
- The non precision approach was completed in poor weather conditions, which increased the cockpit crew workload,
- The absence of a stopping zone at the end of runway 02 contributed to the severity of the occurrence,
- The runway surface was wet and not equipped with a water drainage system, which reduced the braking coefficient.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander in La Ceiba

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2007
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Ceiba – Puerto Lempira
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at La Ceiba-Goloson Airport, a tyre burst. The pilot rejected takeoff but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest 116 metres further. All nine passengers escaped uninjured while the pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 near La Ceiba: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 2004
Operator:
Registration:
N9911S
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
700-11
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed La Ceiba-Goloson Airport on a flight to Costa Rica. Six minutes after takeoff, several radio contacts were made with ATC when radar contact was lost. SAR operations were conducted on a large area but all operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. It is believed that the airplane probably crashed in a dense jungle area.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of an IAI Arava 201 in Palacios

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
316
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
31
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew completed the approach with a 13 knots tailwind component and landed too far down the runway, about half runway down. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest few dozen metres further. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B in Tegucigalpa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1998 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
YS-14C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Guatemala City – Tegucigalpa
MSN:
31-7300940
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport runway 01 in IMC conditions, the aircraft descended too low and crashed 10 km short of runway at an altitude of 5,325 feet. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. The minimum altitude for the approach at the crash site is 6,700 feet. After crossing the 5 DME fix, a flight can descend to 5,200 feet.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach at an insufficient altitude until the aircraft impacted ground.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in La Ceiba

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1998 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HR-AQG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
La Ceiba – Roatán
MSN:
82 09 23
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from La Ceiba-Goloson Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The crew was cleared for an emergency landing and initiated a circuit to return. At low height, one of the wing struck the roof of a house and the airplane crashed on a road. All 17 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine for unknown reasons.