Region

Crash of a Cessna AC-208B Combat Caravan near Balad: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 2020
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YI-118
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Balad - Balad
MSN:
208B-2016
YOM:
2008
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Balad Airport while completing a local mission. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H3 Hercules at Al Taji AFB

Date & Time: Jun 8, 2020 at 2205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
94-6706
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ali Al Salem AFB - Al Taji AAF
MSN:
5398
YOM:
1995
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1700.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
506
Circumstances:
On 8 June 2020, at approximately 2205 hours local time (L), the mishap aircraft (MA), a C-130H (tail number (T/N) 94-6706), was involved in a mishap during a routine mobility airlift mission from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, into Al Taji (Camp Taji), Iraq, when it failed to come to a stop during landing, overran the runway, and impacted a concrete barrier. All 26 mishap crew (MC) members and passengers survived the mishap, with relatively minor injuries to two of the individuals. The MA was damaged beyond repair, and was valued at $35,900,000. The MA was from the 165th Airlift Wing (165 AW), Georgia Air National Guard (ANG), was manned with Wyoming ANG crew members deployed from the 153d Airlift Wing (153 AW), in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing (386 AEW) at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. The mishap occurred at the end of the first planned leg of the MC’s mission on 8 June 2020. The MC departed Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, at approximately 2053L, with an uneventful start, taxi, takeoff, and cruise to Camp Taji. During descent into Camp Taji, the MC prepared the MA for a nighttime landing, using night vision devices. During this time, the MC turned the MA earlier than their planned turn point, did not descend to lower altitudes in accordance with their planned descent, and allowed the airspeed to exceed recommended maximum speeds for the configuration the plane was in. During the landing, the MA continued to be above the planned glideslope and maintained excessive airspeed, with a nose-down attitude until touchdown. The MA proceeded to “porpoise” or oscillate down the runway from the point of touchdown until the MA was slowed sufficiently by use of reverse thrust from the engines to allow the MA to settle onto the wheels, which in turn allowed for the brakes to engage. The MA, despite slowing somewhat, had less than 1,000 feet of runway remaining by that point, and thus overran the runway and did not come to a complete stop until it impacted a 12-foot-high concrete barrier, approximately 600 feet past the runway.
Probable cause:
The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) President found by a preponderance of the evidence that the causes of the mishap were the MA’s excess airspeed above recommended landing velocity, which caused the MA to maintain lift (flight) and did not provide sufficient weight on wheels (WOW) to allow braking action to occur. Additionally, the AIB President found, by a preponderance of the evidence, the MC’s failure to adequately assess risk, failure to follow proper procedures, and their poor communication were all substantially contributing factors to the mishap.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna AC-208B Combat Caravan in Hawijah: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 2016
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YI-119
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Balad - Balad
MSN:
208B-1309
YOM:
2008
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Balad AFB on an exercice with three crew members on board. While flying at low height, it was shot down by a 57 mm antiaircraft gunfire. Out of control, it dove into the ground and crashed in Hawijah, some 160 km north of Balad AFB. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all three crew occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by antiaircraft gunfire.

Crash of a Beechcraft MC-12W Liberty in Kawrgosk

Date & Time: Mar 5, 2016
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6351V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Arbil - Arbil
MSN:
FL-751
YOM:
2011
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Arbil Airport on a military survey flight, carrying two passengers and two pilots. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet, the left engine failed and smoke spread in the cabin. Confused and disoriented, the crew inadvertently shut down the right engine. During the descent, the crew was able to open the outflow valve, clearing the smoke. The crew then realized he could not reached the Arbil Airport so he attempted an emergency landing in a field located in Kawrgosk, about 17 km northwest of Arbil Airport. The aircraft slid on its belly for few dozen metres before coming to rest, and was damaged beyond repair. All four occupants evacuated safely.

Crash of a Hawker 850XP in Sulaymaniyah: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 2011 at 1749 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OD-SKY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sulaymānīyah - Ankara
MSN:
258804
YOM:
2006
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Sulaymaniyah Airport runway 31, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed 2,100 metres from the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all seven occupants were killed, among them four employees of the Iraqi communications company Asiacell. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were as follow: 1,500 metres visibility in snow falls, overcast 3,500 feet.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The wings, elevator and horizontal stabilizer top surface were contaminated with ice and snow.
- The crew was in a hurry due to early passenger arrival.
- The crew didn’t remove the snow and ice contamination from the control surfaces nor did he call for de-icing actions.
- Ice and snow contamination on tail section most likely cause sluggish rotation during the takeoff; this will resulting in over rotation and wing stall.
- Snow and ice contamination on the wing, fuselage and tail will compromise the normal takeoff characteristics.
- A combination of snow and ice causing disruptive air flow, heaver actual weights and over rotation, the combination of which most likely didn’t activate the stall warning safety design. The aircraft could stall asymmetrical without warning during takeoff.
- That was the probable cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet C-21A at Talil AFB

Date & Time: Nov 2, 2009 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
84-0094
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
35-540
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a positioning flight to Talil AFB (Imam Ali), Iraq. On approach, the aircraft was too high and descended with an excessive speed and a tailwind component of 10 knots. The crew failed to initiate a go-around and the aircraft landed about two-third down the runway. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a sandy area about 60 metres past the runway end. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and later destroyed by soldiers from the 68th Transportation Company.
Probable cause:
The accident investigation board (AIB) president found clear and convincing evidence that the mishap crew failed to sufficiently reduce speed and altitude during their approach to execute a normal landing, failed to complete the appropriate checklist for a high speed partial flap landing, and failed to recognize that there was insufficient runway remaining to safely land. Finally, the mishap crew failed to initiate a 'Go-Around' to correct the aforementioned deviations. Additionally, the AIB president also found sufficient evidence that skill-based errors, judgment and decision-making errors, cognitive factors, psycho-behavioural factors, coordination, communication and planning factors, and planning inappropriate operations all were substantially contributing factors to the mishap.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK near Al-Taqaddum AFB: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 2008 at 1124 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
S9-SAO
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Al Asad – Bagdad
MSN:
00 346 908
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Al Asad AFB at 1102LT on a cargo flight to Baghdad with 7 crew members on board, carrying various goods for the allied forces in Iraq. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the engine n°2 failed and caught fire. The crew declared an emergency and reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a desert area located 22 km southeast of Al-Taqaddum AFB, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of engine n°2 for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Baghdad

Date & Time: Jun 27, 2008 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
86-0412
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
5098
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Baghdad Airport on a support mission, carrying 32 passengers and a crew of six. Sixty seconds after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 313 feet and at a speed of 163 knots, the airplane's defensive system activated. The pilot reacted in accordance with applicable directives and after reacting to the defensive alert, the crew realized that all three engines n°1, 3 and 4 lost 60% of power. The crew attempted an emergency landing in an open field located 7,5 km north of the airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 38 occupants escaped uninjured. U.S. Air Force Maintenance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel from the 447th Air Expeditionary Group were called in. They placed explosive charges on the plane and blew up the Hercules on July 7.
Probable cause:
The Board President could not find clear and convincing evidence to determine the exact cause of the engine power loss. He did find evidence to conclude that several factors combined to significantly contribute to the Mishap Airplane (MA) landing partially gear down. Specifically, a defensive system alert, the aircraft's low altitude and airspeed at the time of the malfunction, and the decision to respond to the alert at low altitude and airspeed combined to result in the MA landing partially gear down. All MA systems and performance were normal prior to the defensive system alert. An undetermined malfunction occurred during the defensive reaction that caused three of the MA's four engines to stabilize at an RPM (60%) which was not sufficient to maintain flight and the low altitude and airspeed at the time of the malfunction limited the time available for situation analysis and recovery. The Mishap Crew (MC) had never been exposed to a loss of three or four engines on takeoff in the C-130H2 simulator which resulted in an emergency situation the MC had not seen before at a low altitude and airspeed. Checklist actions taken by the MC did not recover the engines and the Mishap Pilot (MP) appropriately performed a limited power, controlled descent, and forced landing resulting in only minor injuries.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules in Amarah

Date & Time: Feb 12, 2007 at 2010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZH876
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
5460
YOM:
1999
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
58
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew of ZH876 were tasked to fly a routine roulement of troops to a Tactical Landing Zone (TLZ) in Maysān province, Iraq. Weather at the TLZ was good, with a visibility of 25 km, no significant cloud and a light surface wind. The flight to the TLZ was routine and at approx 17:00 UTC the Hercules began to make its approach to the TLZ. Comms had already been established between ZH876 and the Tactical Air Traffic Controller (Tac ATC) at the TLZ, and the aircraft was subsequently cleared to land. An uneventful approach followed flown by the copilot. At 17:10:15 UTC, as the aircraft was about to touchdown at the TLZ, the crew experienced a load bang and a bright flash. The flash temporarily blinded the flight-deck crew. Virtually simultaneously, the aircraft touched down. The first flash was followed, a second later, by another flash and louder bang. The aircraft slewed off the left-hand side of the runway. The captain took over control of the aircraft. On regaining vision, the captain tried to steer the aircraft back onto the runway. However, the crew became aware of a fire on the port side, which was confirmed as a wing fire. The captain brought the aircraft to an immediate halt. The aircraft came to rest 50 m from the runway edge, some 700 m after touchdown. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and it was decided to blow up the plane because the damage was too difficult to repair and there was also a potential risk that anti-Iraqi forces might obtain information on specialist equipment.
Probable cause:
The evidence recovered from the incident site revealed that two IED [improvised explosive device] arrays had exploded in the near vicinity of ZH876's touchdown point at the TLZ. The Board quickly ruled out aircraft systems failure and other possible causes. The Board concluded that this deliberate enemy action was the sole cause of the damage sustained to ZH876 in this incident. The Board further concluded that there was a lack of understanding, by the Force Protection personnel, of TLZ sweep procedures and they had not received the appropriate training. This meant that the sweep procedures applied at the TLZ were inadequate to discover the IED arrays.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B-100 in Balad: 34 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2007 at 0702 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ER-26068
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Adana – Balad
MSN:
113 08
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
34
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a charter flight from Adana, Turkey, to Balad AFB (located 70 km north of Baghdad), carrying 30 workers coming from Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine, on behalf of the Turkish Company Kulak specialized in reconstruction projects. The aircraft departed Adana Airport at 0600LT for a 90 minutes flight. On approach, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to initiate a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, while attempting a second approach, the aircraft descended too low and crashed 2,5 km short of runway, bursting into flames. A passenger was seriously injured while 34 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident and the exact position of the aircraft during the last segment could not be determined with certainty as the FDR was not in the aircraft at the time of the accident.