Flight | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

When the survey aircraft failed to arrive at the destination, and on expiry of the SAR time, a search was commenced. Wreckage of the aircraft was subsequently found on the eastern slope of Mt Barren Jack, to the north west of the mouth of Carrolls Creek, and on the planned track for the survey operation. Observers at the Burrinjuck reservoir near the mouth of Carrolls Creek described the weather in the accident area at the time as black clouds spilling over and obscuring the mountain tops. The aircraft collided with trees on the side of the mountain, while banked steeply to the right and in a tail low attitude. The pilot was thrown from the aircraft during the impact sequence. Medical opinion held that there was no evidence of body trauma consistent with the seat belt being fastened at the time of impact. The flight was completed on behalf of the Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR) and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Because of the destruction of the aircraft by the ensuing fire the status of the seat belt assemblies were unable to be determined. The investigation revealed that both engines were operating at high power at the time of impact. No malfunction or defect could be found with the aircraft which could have contributed to the accident. The survey task required the pilot to adhere strictly to a particular track and the target height for the flight was 500 feet above ground level while maintaining visual contact with the ground at all times. The pilot was suitably qualified to act as pilot in command of survey operations down to a height of 200 feet above ground level. The investigation concluded that the aircraft was being operated at a height substantially lower that 500 feet above ground level prior to the accident. Impact marks, wreckage and mechanical evidence suggest that the aircraft impacted terrain at a time when the pilot was attempting to carry out an evasive manoeuvre to remain clear of terrain. The reason why the aircraft was being operated at such a height and why the pilot delayed turning away from the steeply rising terrain could not be determined.
The following factors were reported:
- The pilot continued the flight into adverse weather conditions.
- The pilot flew the aircraft towards steeply rising terrain at a height substantially lower that 500 feet above ground level.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C off San Juan

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1989

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Victoria Air - Philippines

Registration:

RP-C14

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

14643/26088

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea 100 meters offshore. All five occupants were rescued.

Crash of a Casa 212M Aviocar 300 on Mt Maluti: 18 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1989

Type of aircraft:

Casa 212 Aviocar

Operator:

Registration:

LDF-46

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Qacha’s Nek – Maseru

MSN:

389

YOM:

1989

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine struck the slope of Mt Maluti. All 18 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Al Gora

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1989

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Registration:

786/F-RAVV

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

786

YOM:

1982

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances while engaged in a mission on behalf of the Multinational Force Observers (MFO) based in Al Gora. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Handley Page HPR.7 Dart Herald 401 near Roncesvalles: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1989 at 2344 LT

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page HPR-7 Dart Herald

Operator:

Registration:

HK-2702

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Bogotá – Cali

MSN:

180

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Bogotá to Cali, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. In poor visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Roncesvalles. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) off Apopka: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1989 at 0845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

Operator:

Cherokee Express Air Cargo

Registration:

N7526S

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Shreveport – Orlando

MSN:

60-0158-071

YOM:

1974

Location:

Apopka

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5400

Aircraft flight hours:

2509

Circumstances:

The air taxi aircraft departed Shreveport, LA, at approximately 0500 cst on an unscheduled, domestic, cargo flight. At about 0815 est, the pilot reported on company frequency that he was approximately 30 minutes from the destination (Orlando, FL). Subsequently, the aircraft crashed in the northwest part of Lake Apopka, approximately 15 to 20 miles west-northwest of the destination airport. A witness heard it crash, then saw parts from the aircraft, but did not see the actual impact. There was evidence the aircraft impacted in a shallow descent, while in a slight left wing low attitude, traveling at a relatively high speed. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft or engine was found, though the aircraft was extensively damaged and some of the wreckage was not recovered from the lake. The Orlando weather was in part: 2,500 feet scattered, visibility 6 miles with fog and haze, wind from 350° at 4 knots. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance above the water, while proceeding over a lake and approaching the vicinity of the airport.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414A Chancellor near Wonthaggi

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1989 at 0833 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 414 Chancellor

Operator:

Registration:

VH-SDV

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Melbourne – Port Welshpool

MSN:

414A-0261

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot reported that whilst enroute from Essendon to Wonthaggi he descended to the lowest safe altitude of 3600 feet above sea level, lowered the landing gear, reduced power and airspeed to counter the effect of turbulence and entered a holding pattern to the south south west of the Wonthaggi navigation aid. During the holding pattern the aircraft descended until it collided with trees that were 865 feet above sea level. The weather at the time included gale force winds, rain and low cloud. There were no thunderstorms or microbursts in the area, however, other aircraft reported a very low cloud base and severe turbulence. A few minutes prior to the accident ground witnesses, south south west of the accident site, reported an aircraft matching the description of VH-SDV, flying below a low, misty, ragged cloud base. There was no record of another aircraft in the area at the time. Information was available which indicated that the aircraft had descended below 3600 feet during the approach to Wonthaggi. The passengers reported that the pilot gave no indication of any problem or danger. Until the impact, they believed the aircraft was descending normally for a landing at Port Welshpool.

Probable cause:

No aircraft defects were found which may have been factors in the accident. The investigation indicates that the pilot attempted to fly under the low cloud base, in order to reach the Port Welshpool destination where weather conditions were earlier reported to have been partially sunny. Port Welshpool is not serviced by an approved navigation aid. The pilot attempted to descend below the cloud base, hoping to achieve visual flight conditions to continue to his destination.

Final Report:

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