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Crash of an Embraer EMB-120RT Brasília in Zaldíbar: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 14, 2002 at 0728 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-GTJ
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Madrid - Bilbao
MSN:
120-024
YOM:
1986
Flight number:
IBT1278
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total hours on type:
1575.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
832
Aircraft flight hours:
23578
Aircraft flight cycles:
29468
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Madrid-Barajas at 0635LT on a cargo service (flight IBT1278) to Bilbao, carrying one company mechanic, two pilots and a load of cargo consisting of 2,873 kilos of various goods. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared to start the descent to Bilbao-Sondica Airport for an ILS approach to runway 30. During the descent, the crew encountered control problems which he attributed to an autopilot malfunction. While trying to identify the problem, the crew failed to realized that the rate of descent increased when the GPWS alarm sounded three times. Shortly later, while attempting to gain height, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Santa Marina Vieja located 33 km from Bilbao Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all three occupants were killed. The wreckage was found near the village of Zaldíbar.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to maintain an adequate separation with the ground because his attention was focused on the disconnection of the autopilot system. It was also determined that the crew failed to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures published by the operator.
Final Report:
Crash of a Swearingen SA226TC Metro II in Barcelona: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 19, 1998 at 0004 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-GDG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Barcelona - Brussels
MSN:
TC-220
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
IBT595A
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
952.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
394
Aircraft flight hours:
17546
Circumstances:
Few minutes after a night takeoff from Barcelona Airport, en route to Brussels, the copilot informed ATC about technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After been cleared for an approach to runway 07, the crew descended to 6,000 feet and 3,000 feet successively. At 0000:15 seconds, the aircraft passed over the outer marker at an altitude of 1,500 feet and a speed of 170 knots. At a distance of six km from the runway threshold, the aircraft started to deviate from the approach path to the right and one minute later, it struck the ground at a speed of 130 knots, crashing in a palmgrove located 3,2 km short of runway and bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the nature of the technical problems that the crew reported. However, the assumption that the left engine partially failed was not ruled out. The accident resulted from an inappropriate angle of descent during the approach to runway 07 in conditions of low visibility combined with a possible fatigue of the crew due to a long duty period, and the possible left engine malfunction which required yaw compensation and special attention from the pilots. This caused the aircraft to deviate from the approach path and to descend below the MDA until impact with the ground.
Final Report:
Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III in Djerba
Date & Time:
Jan 11, 1997 at 1900 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-GKK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Madrid – Alicante – Djerba
MSN:
AC-730
YOM:
1989
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure when the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a ditch. All 21 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
