Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Saint Mary's: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 2024 at 2200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N90193
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bethel - Saint Mary's
MSN:
207-0007
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The approach to Saint Mary's Airport was initiated in marginal weather conditions. On short final, the single engine airplane crashed about 800 metres short of runway and was destroyed. All four occupants were killed. The airplane was completing a taxi flight from Bethel.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Wat Khao Din: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 2024 at 1457 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HS-SKR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bangkok - Ko Mai Si
MSN:
208B-1241
YOM:
2007
Flight number:
TFT209
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Few minutes after its takeoff from Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed for unknown reason in a wooded area located in Wat Khao Din, some 30 km southeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 9 occupants were killed. The airplane was on a service to the Island of Ko Mai Si.

Crash of a Piper PA-31 Navajo C near Las Horquetas: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 2024 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CRN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Coyhaique - Chile Chico
MSN:
31-7712045
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was on a charter flight from Coyhaique to Chile Chico, carrying six passengers and one pilot. Halfway into the flight, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located northwest of Las Horquetas, Aysén Region. The wreckage was found in the afternoon on the slope of Cerro Aislado. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Woleai

Date & Time: Jul 12, 2024 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N44MA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Woleai – Colonia
MSN:
LD-412
YOM:
1969
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, during a short field takeoff on a runway that was flooded by heavy rain, the airplane’s right landing gear wheel went into a deep puddle of water and the airplane veered right. The pilot attempted to lift the airplane into ground effect to regain directional control, but the airplane was traveling too slow. The airplane exited the right side of the runway into tall grass and vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, resulting in a loss of directional control. Contributing to the accident was a flooded runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Red Lake

Date & Time: Jun 16, 2024
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GBZH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1518
YOM:
1963
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the early morning in Red Lake. Among the five occupants, two occupants were seriously injured and three others suffered minor injuries.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26-100 in Utrenniy

Date & Time: Jun 14, 2024 at 1340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-26662
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sabetta - Utrenniy
MSN:
81 01
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
UT9706
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
36
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Utrenniy Airport in marginal weather conditions, the airplane impacted the ground and crash landed about one km from the airport. All 41 occupants were rescued and transported to the airport terminal, among them three were injured including both pilots. The airplane was completing a special service from Sabetta.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air near Palenque: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 2024 at 1322 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XB-SKA
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tuxtla Gutiérrez - Palenque
MSN:
LW-43
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Tuxtla Gutiérrez-Francisco Sarabia Airport, the crew initiated the descent to Palenque Airport in limited visibility. On approach, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of a wooded terrain located in the Cerro Norte about 12 km southwest of the destination airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all occupants were killed, among them Juan Pablo Montes de Oca, Federal Deputy who was flying to Palenque with his family.
Crew:
Roberto Villanueva Valdez, pilot,
Carlos Alberto Culebro Esquinca, copilot.
Passengers:
Juan Pablo Montes de Oca,
Sofía Montes de Oca, Juan Pablo's daughter,
Pablo Montes de Oca, Juan Pablo's son,
Guillermina Rincón Cruz, Juan Pablo's wife,
Rosalía, Juan Pablo's sister,
Daniela, Juan Pablo's nephew,
Eduardo, juan Pablo's nephew.

Crash of a Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 in Naples: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 2024 at 1517 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N823KD
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Columbus - Naples
MSN:
5584
YOM:
2004
Flight number:
HPJ823
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10525
Captain / Total hours on type:
2808.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
24618
Copilot / Total hours on type:
138
Aircraft flight hours:
9763
Circumstances:
On February 9, 2024, about 1517 eastern standard time, a Bombardier Inc CL-600-2B16, N823KD, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Naples, Florida. The two airline transport pilots were fatally injured. The cabin attendant and the two passengers sustained minor injuries, and one person on the ground suffered minor injury. The airplane was operated by Ace Aviation Services (doing business as Hop-A-Jet) as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand passenger flight. The airplane was returning to Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida, from Ohio State University Airport (OSU), Columbus, Ohio, where it had flown earlier in the day. The airplane was serviced with 350 gallons of fuel before departure from OSU. Preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) flight track and air traffic control (ATC) data revealed that the flight crew contacted the ATC tower at APF while on a right downwind leg of the approach to the airport and maneuvering for a 5-mile final approach to runway 23. At 1508, the tower controller cleared the flight to land. The airplane was about 6.5 miles north of APF, about 2,000 ft geometric altitude (GEO) and 166 knots groundspeed, as it turned for the base leg of the traffic pattern. A preliminary review of the data recovered from the airplane’s flight data recorder revealed that the first of three Master Warnings was recorded at 1509:33 (L ENGINE OIL PRESSURE), the second immediately following at 1509:34 (R ENGINE OIL PRESSURE), and at 1509:40 (ENGINE). The system alerted pilots with illumination of a “Master Warning” light on the glareshield, a corresponding red message on the crew alerting system page and a triple chime voice advisory (“Engine oil”). Twenty seconds later, at 1510:05, about 1,000 ft msl and 122 kts, on a shallow intercept angle for the final approach course, the crew announced, “…lost both engines… emergency… making an emergency landing” (see figure 1). The tower controller acknowledged the call and cleared the airplane to land. At 1510:12, about 900 ft and 115 knots, the crew replied, “We are cleared to land but we are not going to make the runway… ah… we have lost both engines.” There were no further transmissions from the flight crew and the ADS-B track data ended at 1510:47, directly over Interstate 75 in Naples, Florida. Dashcam video submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board captured the final seconds of the flight. The airplane descended into the camera’s view in a shallow left turn and then leveled its wings before it touched down aligned with traffic travelling the southbound lanes of Interstate 75. The left main landing gear touched down first in the center of the three lanes, and then the right main landing gear touched down in the right lane. The airplane continued through the break-down lane and into the grass shoulder area before impacting a concrete sound barrier. The airplane was obscured by dust, fire, smoke, and debris until the video ended. This information is preliminary and subject to change. After the airplane came to rest, the cabin attendant stated that she identified that the cabin and emergency exits were blocked by fire and coordinated the successful egress of her passengers and herself through the baggage compartment door in the tail section of the airplane.

Crash of a BAe 3212 Jetstream 32 in Fort Smith: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 2024 at 0642 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FNAA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Smith – Diavik
MSN:
929
YOM:
1991
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fort Smith Airport Runway 30, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed in a wooded and snow covered area, bursting into flames. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed. The airplane was on an on-demand charter flight to the Diavik Diamond Mine located about 500 km north of Fort Smith.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan on Lizard Island

Date & Time: Jan 8, 2024 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-NWJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lizard Island - Cairns
MSN:
208B-2161
YOM:
2010
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3706
Captain / Total hours on type:
2431.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8765
Circumstances:
At 0646LT, the single engine airplane departed Lizard Island Airport on a non-scheduled passenger service to Cairns. On board were the pilot and 9 passengers. After takeoff from runway 12, the pilot turned right, tracked south-southwest and made a departure call to Brisbane Centre air traffic control (ATC). At 1,750 feet above mean sea level, the pilot turned left onto the departure track in a cruise climb and engaged the autopilot. At 0652LT, passing 3,400 feet at an indicated airspeed of 102 kt, the pilot noted a change to the engine sound and that the aircraft was accelerating. The pilot checked the engine gauges on the Garmin G1000 multifunction flight display. They noted the values indicated on both the engine torque and interstage turbine temperature gauges were above the redline and the gas generator speed and fuel flow were not indicating, being marked with a diagonal red cross through the gauge locations. The propeller revolutions per minute was high but within the green operating range. Within 10 seconds, the pilot initiated a left turn with the purpose of returning to Lizard Island and broadcast a PAN PAN call on the area frequency advising their intentions. Despite trying to arrest it, the aircraft continued to climb and accelerate over the next 2 minutes reaching 4,000 feet and 166 kt. The pilot started troubleshooting the issue by moving the power, propeller control and emergency power levers with the only response coming from the propeller control lever. The pilot also partially moved the fuel condition lever through the gate from low idle to cut-off and noted the engine power cutting in and out and returned the condition lever to low idle. At the same time, the pilot conducted a large orbit around the island attempting a shallow descent while the engine continued to produce excessive power. Further manipulation of the propeller control lever somewhat reduced the engine thrust. The pilot updated ATC on their situation and progressively deployed the flaps to create drag in an attempt to slow the aircraft. After one orbit of the island, the pilot felt they were low enough to attempt a landing with a 2 NM (4 km) final approach to runway 12 and notified ATC of their intentions. The pilot reported they were concerned with the populated resort accommodation and maintenance buildings on the approach end of the runway and the possibility of injury to those on board and on the ground if the aircraft did not have the energy to make the runway. To ensure they cleared potential obstacles, the pilot elected to perform a powered-on approach. The pilot continued to adjust the propeller lever in an attempt to reduce the engine thrust. The final approach was started at 147 kt (the pilot operating handbook stated the normal approach speed with full flaps was 75–85 kt). The pilot was able to reduce the airspeed to 123 kt by the runway threshold and reported attempting to shut down the engine. The aircraft floated along the down-sloping runway, bouncing and touching down at around 100 kt, an estimated two-thirds of the way along the runway. The pilot applied maximum braking, but the aircraft exited the end of the runway at 92 kt. The aircraft continued across undulating sandy soil and low vegetation before the left wingtip struck the ground, which spun and flipped the aircraft, coming to rest inverted, 127 metres from the end of the runway. All 10 occupants escaped with minor injuries and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following:
- Shortly after departure, the fuel control unit very likely malfunctioned resulting in an uncommanded engine acceleration event beyond limits, necessitating a return to the airport.
- The engine power was unable to be reduced and the engine was not successfully shut down on final approach. As a result, the aircraft could not be slowed sufficiently to prevent a runway overrun.
The following contributing factor was identified:
- While uncommanded engine acceleration or inability to reduce power events occur at a higher rate than any other type of fuel control unit malfunction in Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A single-engine aircraft, there were no flight manual procedures addressing this type of occurrence. Consequently, there was limited awareness by pilots and operators on how to identify and safely respond to an uncommanded engine acceleration event.
Final Report: