Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Poeketi: 8 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 2010 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PZ-TSV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Godo Olo – Paramaribo
MSN:
1AJ007-10
YOM:
1990
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
En route from Godo Olo to Paramaribo, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located 5 km northeast from Poeketi. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 8 occupants were killed.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Kwamalasamutu

Date & Time: Oct 15, 2009 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PZ-TST
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paramaribo - Kwamalasamutu
MSN:
1AJ008-04
YOM:
1990
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at the Kwamalasamutu Airstrip, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. Three passengers were slightly injured while the captain was seriously injured. All four other occupants escaped unhurt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Gusterie

Date & Time: Nov 22, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PZ-TVC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
404-0243
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Paramaribo-Zorg en Hoop Airport, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in bushes located in Gusterie. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Poesoegroenoe

Date & Time: Aug 21, 2008
Registration:
PZ-TRR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Poesoegroenoe – Paramaribo
MSN:
207-0313
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Poesoegroenoe Airstrip, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area. All six occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Benzdorp: 19 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 2008 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PZ-TSO
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Paramaribo – Lawa
MSN:
1AJ007-17
YOM:
1990
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
While approaching Lawa-Antino airport, the crew was informed that another airplane was on the runway at that time. The crew initiated a go-around procedure when the aircraft hit a wooded hillside and crashed, bursting into flames. All 19 occupants were killed.

Crash of a GAF Nomad N.24A in Jacobkondre: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PZ-TBP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Paramaribo – Jacobkondre
MSN:
73
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
On approach to Jacobkondre Airfield, the twin engine aircraft was too low. It collided with trees and crashed near the Salamacca River. The wreckage was found on a hill located about 3 km from the airfield. All 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-62 in Paramaribo: 176 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1989 at 0427 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1809E
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Amsterdam - Paramaribo
MSN:
46107
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
PY764
Country:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
178
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
176
Captain / Total flying hours:
19450
Captain / Total hours on type:
8800.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6600
Aircraft flight hours:
52706
Aircraft flight cycles:
20342
Circumstances:
Surinam Airways (SLM) carried out regular flights between Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (AMS) and Paramaribo (PBM) using McDonnell Douglas DC-8-60 planes. One of these was a US-registered plane, N1809E, named "Anthony Nesty". The air crew was furnished by Air Crew International (ACI). The contract between Surinam Airways and ACI stipulated that ACI would furnish SLM with qualified crew members who held FAA certificates and who met the regulatory requirements to fly the DC-8. ACI did not provide for proficiency checks but left it to the individual pilots to meet the training and other requirements of their profession. One of the captains provided by ACI was involved in several incidents while operating on SLM flights. After investigation, SLM instructed ACI not to use this captain in future SLM assignments. However, he still acted as a crew member on several flights since. The captain was again scheduled on the accident flight PY764. According to regulations, the captain was not even qualified to act as pilot-in-command of that flight because of his age. He was 66 years old and Surinam regulations stipulated that "the holder of a pilot certificate is not authorized to act as pilot during commercial flights when he/she has reached age 60". Also, his most recent proficiency check flight was on a GA-7 Cougar twin instead of a DC-8. Flight 764 departed Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport at 23:25 (June 6) on a flight to Paramaribo (PBM). The en route part of the flight was uneventful and about 20 minutes before arrival in Paramaribo the crew received the 07:00 UTC weather for Zanderij Airport: Wind calm, visibility 900 m in fog, temperature/dewpoint 22°C/22°C. This caught the crew by surprise since the previous weather information had included a visibility of 6 km. Because the ILS was not to be used for operational purposes, the copilot said: "We don't legally have an ILS ... we have to use it". The captain responded affirmatively. The crew were confident that they could land because they assumed that the fog was localized given the fact that they were able to see the airport during the descent. Zanderij Tower then cleared the flight for a VOR/DME approach to runway 10. The captain tuned in to the ILS and instructed the first officer to set the final approach course for the published VOR/DME approach on the first officer's side. During the approach the first officer reported that he could see the airport:"Runway's at twelve o'clock". A minute later he commented "A little bit of low fog comin' up I reckon just a little bit". He was still able to see the runway and reported the runway in sight. The DC-8 then entered some stratus clouds the captain told the first officer to "Tell him [tower controller] to turn the runway lights up ... Tell him to put the runway lights bright". The captain attempted to capture the unreliable ILS glide slope signal, but failed to capture it. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) sounded several times: "Glideslope ... glideslope..." until it was deactivated. The captain was flying the aircraft below the minimum altitude for the ILS/DME approach procedure (260 ft asl) as well as below the minimum descent altitude for the VOR/DME approach procedure (560 ft). The first officer called out: "Two hundred feet". Thirteen seconds later the no. 2 engine contacted a tree. The right wing then struck another tree, causing the aircraft to roll, striking the ground inverted. The airplane broke up and a fire erupted.
Probable cause:
The Commission determines:
a) That as a result of the captain's glaring carelessness and recklessness the aircraft was flown below the published minimum altitudes during the approach and consequently collided with a tree.
b) As underlying factor in the accident was the failure of SLM's operational management to observe the pertinent regulations as well as the procedures prescribed in the SLM Operations Manual concerning qualification and certification during recruitment and employment of the crew members furnished by ACI.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A in Paramaribo

Date & Time: May 5, 1978 at 0659 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3493F
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami – Willemstad – Paramaribo
MSN:
44630/567
YOM:
1955
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Paramaribo-Zanderij Airport in a visibility reduced to 200 meters, the four engine airplane struck trees and crashed 1,800 meters short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were injured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II near Paramaribo: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1972 at 1800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
52-1055
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Paramaribo – Memphis
MSN:
43964
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Paramaribo-Zanderij Airport in poor weather conditions when the four engine airplane struck a hill (1,716 feet high) located 68 km southeast of its destination. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the crew started the descent prematurely and continued the approach below the minimum descent altitude.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649A Starliner in Paramaribo

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7324C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1030
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The Lockheed L-1649A Starliner cargo plane was damaged beyond repair when the aircraft hit trees after take off at night on a contraband flight from Zanderij Airport, Paramaribo, Surinam in late 1968 or early 1969. A leading edge was damaged and no.2 engine caught fire. It manage to return to the airport and was abandoned there.
The contraband consisted of cigarettes or other consumer goods in order to evade import taxes.